Taliban Minister Haqqani Travels To Saudi Arabia for Umrah, Extending Two-Week Absence

The United Nations has confirmed that Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban's Interior Minister, has travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah pilgrimage.

The UN Security Council’s sanctions committee stated that Haqqani’s travel ban was temporarily lifted for ten days, allowing him to visit Saudi Arabia until 3 February.

During his journey to Saudi Arabia, Haqqani made a stop in the United Arab Emirates, where he met with the country’s head of state. It has now been approximately two weeks since his unexpected visit to the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

This marks the third exemption granted to Haqqani. Previously, the UN Security Council had also permitted the Taliban's Interior Minister to travel to the UAE and perform the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

It remains unclear whether Saudi officials held any political discussions with Haqqani during his visit. However, unlike the Taliban’s Interior Minister, Saudi Arabia extended a warm and public welcome to Ahmad al-Sharaa, the head of Syria’s interim government.

Unlike Haqqani, al-Sharaa does not require UN Security Council approval for his pilgrimage, as he is not subject to sanctions. Previously, the United States had lifted a $10 million bounty placed on him. However, the $10 million bounty on Haqqani remains in effect.