Khalil al-Rahman Haqqani, the Taliban Minister of Refugees and a senior member of the Haqqani network, was killed in a suicide attack in the Ministry’s building in Afghanistan’s capital city, Kabul. He was the only armed Taliban minister who attended all official and unofficial meetings with a gun. Some senior officials of the former government have described the killing of Haqqani in a suicide attack as “martyrdom”, but a large number of citizens criticized these officials for expressing sympathy on his death. The citizens said that a large number of innocent Afghans were killed by the Haqqani network suicide squad which was under observation of the Khalil Haqqani in the past 20 years before they take power in 2021. They said that the families of the victims were a “little consoled” by the death of Haqqani.

At the same time, the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture ordered media operating inside the country to use the word “martyrdom” in their reports instead of death. This order caused a number of media outlets to edit their already published news. A number of citizens of the country have attributed the killing Khalil Haqqani to the differences between Hibatullah Akhundzada the supreme leader of the Taliban and Sirajuddin Haqqani, the interior minister and head of Haqqani Network, referring to the “Amir and Khalifa” game of thrones.

In the past 20 years, the Haqqani network has taken responsibility for numerous suicide attacks in Kabul and some other provinces, as a result of which hundreds of people, including women and children, have been killed and injured.

After taking control of Afghanistan, this network has proudly praised its suicide fighters many times and given land and government facilities to their families. In the latest case, a senior member of this network and the uncle of Sirajuddin Haqqani, known as the “head of suicide bombers”, was killed in a suicide attack.

Khalil Haqqani was killed in a suicide attack at his ministry’s headquarters and the attack took place while he was constantly armed at the most official meetings and it was said that he did not trust his bodyguards either. Hours after the attack, the Taliban group published a photo attributed to the suicide bomber on social media and said that the attacker was holding a metal rod and had told the security guards that his hand had undergone surgery. He then detonated his explosive materials during the official meeting.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that Khalil Haqqani was killed in a “barbaric” ISIS attack. He called Haqqani’s death a “big loss” for the Taliban and emphasized that this event cannot weaken the strength of the Taliban government. Sirajuddin Haqqani and a number of other members of the Taliban leadership praised him. Later, ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.

It came as shock that Khalil Haqqnai killed by a suicide bomber

Apparently, it was not expected that someone like Khalil al-Rahman Haqqani, a famous and senior member of the Haqqani network, would become a victim of a suicide attack. Perhaps, after Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s interior minister, he was the second prominent figure in the Haqqani network. Khalil Haqqani has played an effective and unique role in the provision of Haqqani’s financial resources.

It is said that he provided financial aid to the Haqqani network through Pakistan and some countries in the south of the Persian Gulf. Now that he has been removed from the field, the Haqqanis may be in some trouble. The US had set a bounty of five million dollars for revealing his whereabouts and he was also in the blacklist of the United Nations.

While it is still early, it is also difficult to talk about the visible and hidden sides of the Haqqani assassination despite the Daesh group having already claimed responsibility for this. Considering the way the Taliban have been ruling for more than three years, the internal differences of their regime, the claim of enmity of this group with ISIS, etc., the following points can be raised:

First:

The Haqqanis are known as the main planners and agents of suicide attacks in Afghanistan. Siraj Haqqani has frequently appreciated and consoled the survivors of the suicide bombers and distributed a huge amount of money to them. His consolation went beyond this and ordered that a “memorial minaret” be built in the Garde Siri district of Paktia province for the person who blew himself up in front of the US soldiers, something that is confusing to understand.

Just a few days ago, he went to Gilan district of Ghazni and during his speech, he once again praised the suicide bombers and called the freedom of Afghanistan the result of their sacrifice. Meanwhile, the rest of the important figures of the Taliban apparently do not speak widely about the suicide bombers. Now that one of the famous Haqqanis has been the victim of a suicide attack, it is not known whether Siraj Haqqani will continue to spread the culture of suicide.

Second:

Considering the status and credibility that Khalil Haqqani had in the Taliban regime and the Haqqani network, his loss is a big psychological blow to the Haqqanis, in a situation where (according to some claims) they are trying to stand against Mullah Hebatullah, the leader of the Taliban. Since the Taliban came back to power, no one from the Haqqani family had been killed like Khalil Haqqani. Mullah Hebatullah’’ block has lost a key member – Dawood Mozmal, the former governor of Balkh.

Khalil Haqqani showed himself to be so influential that he even carried weapons during official meetings with foreign officials (both Western and non-Western) and his bodyguards protected him with unique looks. Something that maybe even Hebatullah will not do. Therefore, it is difficult and time-consuming to fill Khalil Haqqani’s vacancy in the Haqqani network.

Third:

When we think about the perpetrator of the attack, several options come to mind: ISIS which has already claimed responsibility, but we should not forget about internal disputes, family quarrels, foreign intervention, opposition forces, etc. The prevailing suspicion is based on the involvement of ISIS; A group that is skilled in suicide and perhaps learned from the Taliban. Daoud Muzamel was also assassinated by ISIS. The Taliban also attributed the attack to ISIS, but this group has not claimed responsibility so far.

Some consider the internal conflicts of the Taliban to be the cause of terror, and in this context, Sirajuddin Haqqani’s statements against Hebatullah are cited. It is also mentioned in the references of western newspapers and institutions that “Sirajuddin and Hebatuallah” seem to be at odds with each other. Of course, in recent days, the Sirajuddin criticized Hebatullah more than ever before.

Since the Haqqani network is a complex and secretive organization, it is possible that those inside this organization may have provided a platform for assassination. The role of foreign intelligence also comes to mind, but it does not seem justified. It cannot be attributed to the opposing forces of the Taliban either because while they don’t have the ability, they also avoid doing it.

Fourth:

The Taliban’s claim about providing national security in Afghanistan has once again turned into a hoax. The Taliban have repeatedly claimed that the war is over, that national security is ensured, and that the migrants should return to Afghanistan and continue their lives. Of course, by making this claim, they have also received concessions from the world. Now, the assassination of a Taliban minister, even with high security arrangements, revealed that this group is not even able to provide security for someone who was carrying an American M4 weapon in an official meeting with foreign women. Of course, this is not the first time that the Taliban’s claims are wrong.

Fifth:

The assassination series is likely to continue. It is not known whether the next victim is from the Haqqani bloc or Hebatullah. Whatever and whoever it is, the result is the deepening of the Taliban’s internal discord and the world’s disbelief in what this group calls the provision of national security.

Of course, repression and suffocation will intensify more than in the past, because they suspect more citizens. It is possible that the Taliban officials will end their demonstration meetings with the people and refrain from traveling to the provinces. Anyway, the truth of Haqqani’s assassination and its consequences will be revealed more in the following weeks and months.

China has executed its largest naval deployment around Taiwan in nearly 30 years, signaling a significant escalation in regional tensions.

According to a Taiwanese national security memo reported by Nikkei Asia, more than 90 navy and coast guard vessels have been deployed by Beijing across the region. This area encompasses Taiwan, Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture, and the Philippines, collectively referred to as the “first island chain.” The memo describes the operation as Beijing’s largest fleet mobilization in decades, noting that preparations took approximately 70 days. Analysts believe China is also testing the winter maneuverability of its maritime forces.

Earlier this year, China conducted two major military exercises near Taiwan and was expected to hold a third in response to Taiwanese Vice President Lai Cheng-te’s recent tour of Pacific allies, including the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, as well as Hawaii and Guam in the United States. Lai’s trip, which drew strong opposition from Beijing, followed a U.S. approval of arms sales to Taiwan. Chinese authorities labeled Lai a “separatist” and vowed “strong countermeasures” against perceived provocations.

China’s actions have drawn criticism from Taiwanese officials and lawmakers, who warn of the broader implications for regional security. Wang Ting-yu, a senior lawmaker and co-chairman of Taiwan’s defense committee, stated that Beijing is attempting to assert control over the first island chain, likening it to an “inland sea.” Wang highlighted that this moves targets not only Taiwan but also democratic nations such as Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, alongside U.S. allies including Australia and Canada.

Wang emphasized the need for military cooperation and regional security alliances to counter China’s growing ambitions. “Taiwan must strengthen its capabilities and foster deeper collaboration with democratic nations to deter China’s aggression,” Wang said.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry echoed these concerns, stating: “The large-scale military build-up has introduced insecurity and risk to the region, undermining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. China is increasingly viewed as a destabilizing force.”

China maintains that its actions are a direct response to “separatist activities” and foreign interference. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated the country’s commitment to the one-China principle during a press briefing. Mao warned against crossing the “red line” of the Taiwan issue in Sino-U.S. relations, affirming that China will “resolutely defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The developments underscore the heightened geopolitical stakes in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region, as tensions between China, Taiwan, and Western allies continue to escalate.

South Korea’s National Police Service conducted a raid on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office on Wednesday, intensifying the political crisis surrounding his controversial attempt to declare martial law last week.

In a related development, the head of the National Police Organisation, Commissioner Cho Ji-ho, was arrested around 4 a.m. after hours of questioning. Authorities allege that Cho coordinated police efforts to assist military forces in entering the National Assembly following President Yoon’s martial law declaration.

Former Defence Minister’s suicide attempt raises concerns

Further escalating tensions, the Seoul District Court issued an arrest warrant for former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who oversaw the military operation on December 4. Prosecutors initially detained Kim on Sunday, citing urgency, with the court later validating his arrest.

During a National Assembly hearing on Wednesday, Shin Yong-hae, head of the Korean Correctional Service, revealed that Kim attempted suicide in a prison toilet on Tuesday night. Shin confirmed that officers intervened in time, leaving Kim unharmed.

Ruling party calls for President Yoon’s resignation

President Yoon is facing growing pressure to step down, even from within his own People Power Party. Reports indicate that a task force within the ruling party has recommended Yoon’s resignation by February, paving the way for a presidential election in April.

Yoon narrowly avoided impeachment on Saturday when enough party members boycotted the National Assembly vote, preventing the required majority.

In a rare response, North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) issued a statement on Wednesday, characterizing the unrest in South Korea as a direct result of President Yoon’s actions. The statement described Yoon’s behavior as reminiscent of “military dictatorship-era coups,” drawing widespread condemnation and fueling public demand for his impeachment.

Widespread student and academic protests

Student protests are spreading across South Korea, with representatives from 31 universities holding a press conference outside the National Assembly in Seoul. Demonstrators called for Yoon’s resignation, accusing him of undermining democracy.

Academics have also voiced strong opposition. Many posted on social media, criticizing Yoon for steering the nation toward authoritarianism.

Even high school students have joined the protests. The student council of Chungam High School—Yoon’s alma mater—issued a statement denouncing his martial law declaration and demanding his resignation.

In a striking display of international solidarity, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies released a statement in 18 languages, including Turkish, condemning Yoon’s actions. The statement declared: “We announce to the world that it is impossible for us to accept someone who abandons the will of the people as head of state. President Yoon must resign, taking responsibility for plunging the country into chaos and deceiving its citizens. The ruling party deputies should apologize for failing to represent the people’s will.”