A Taliban founder returned to Afghanistan on Tuesday following more than 10 years of exile after the Islamist group took over the country this past weekend, according to reports.
A Taliban spokesman said at a press conference that Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and other insurgent group leaders “reached their beloved country” after traveling from Qatar, AFP reported on Twitter.
The announcement of Baradar’s arrival came at a press conference during which their spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, insisted that members “want to live peacefully” after seizing control of Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US forces from the country.
Baradar is the co-founder and deputy leader of the Taliban. He is the head of the Taliban’s political arm and among the militant group’s senior leaders, according to the BBC.
Baradar went to Kandahar, the second largest city in Afghanistan, The Washington Post reported.
Last month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Baradar and his delegation Tianjin as ties between the two warmed up before President Joe Biden pulled out forces.