The family of former Afghan Taliban supremo Mullah Omar on Tuesday pledged allegiance to the group’s new chief, Mullah Akhtar Mansour.
According to a statement, the family announced their allegiance in a meeting and vowed to follow instructions of the new Taliban chief.
“Al-haj Mullah Abdul Manan, the brother of the honorable late Amirul Momineen (commander of faithful), and son of the late Amirul Momineen have declared allegiance to Mullah Akhtar Mansoor on behalf of their family,” said the statement.
Mullah Yaqoob and Mullah Abdul Manan, son and brother of Mullah Omar, respectively, had earlier refused to accept Mansour’s leadership, who was elected as the group’s new head following the confirmation of Mullah Omar’s death in late July.
Both were eyeing to head the Afghan Taliban; however, their views changed after reconciliatory efforts by Mansour.
Taliban dissidents were also trying to convince Manan to lead them but to no avail.
According to a former Taliban minister and member of the powerful leadership council, Mansour has “offered” Manan a role in the group.
