Mullah Yaqoob Omar, Afghanistan’s new defence minister and son of late Taliban leader Mullah Omar, has emerged before media for the first time since the armed group took over Kabul and the rest of the country. The son of the original paramount leader of the Taliban spoke at an event held at the Sardar Daud Hospital in Kabul.
Known for his role in the military commission of the Taliban movement, Mullah Yaqoob Omar is credited with organising the lightning campaign that brought the Islamic Emirate to power and swept the previous administration out of power.
In his remarks at the event in Kabul, Mullah Yaqoob Omar called on wealthy Afghans to help set up a healthcare system for the wartorn country. He said:
“Let’s spend some money here, businessmen brothers have to come here to build hospitals, clinics, doctors have to come here too.”
Mullah Yaqoob Omar is known to enjoy great prestige in the ranks of the movement, due to both his own battlefield achievements and the reputation of his father. He remains one of the most wanted men for the United States.
