US designates Taliban commander Qari Saifullah as global terrorist

The State Department has designated Qari Saifullah as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under an executive order that targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism, the department announced on Tuesday. Qari Saifullah is the Taliban shadow deputy governor and an operational commander in Zabul Province, Afghanistan, the department said. As an operational commander, Qari Saifullah has used Taliban fighters to organize terrorist activities against the government of Afghanistan and coalition forces in eastern Zabul Province, the announcement said. "Qari Saifullah has also directly ordered his subordinates to conduct improvised explosive device attacks, small-arms fire attacks and rocket attacks in Zabul Province against the government of Afghanistan," it said. On January 14, 2012, six Taliban insurgents subordinate to Qari Saifullah attacked a Romanian convoy, it said. The Taliban insurgents attacked the convoy in the vicinity of Abdul Haq Kalay Village, Tarnak Wa Jaldak District, with rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), it said. On September 28, 2011, two suicide bombers under the direction of Qari Saifullah were planning attacks, it said. One suicide bomber planned to attack the provincial reconstruction team at Forward Operating Base Smart in Qalat District, Zabul Province, and the second suicide bomber planned to attack Forward Operating Base Bullard in Shajoy District, it said. On November 25, 2010, Qari Saifullah ordered a Taliban commander and Taliban shadow sub-governor of Atghar District, Zabul Province, to transport light weapons to Qalat City Center, Zabul Province, the statement said. The shipment included approximately 25 Kalashnikov rifles, 10 machine guns, five RPGs and 20 grenades, it said. Suicide bombers planned to use these weapons against coalition forces and Afghan National Security Forces, specifically targeting the Second Afghan National Army Brigade and Police Headquarters in Qalat, Zabul Province, it said. "The consequences of this designation include a prohibition against US persons engaging in transactions with Qari Saifullah, and the freezing of all property and interests of Qari Saifullah that are in the United States, or come within the United States or the possession or control of US persons," the announcement said. The State Department took the action in consultation with the departments of Justice and Treasury, it noted.