UN orders global sanctions against Haqqani network

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council on Monday ordered global sanctions against the Haqqani militant network in Afghanistan and its chief organizer of suicide attacks.

The network, which has been widely linked to Pakistan, has been blamed for a string of murderous attacks in Afghanistan.

The militant group and its chief organizer of suicide attacks, Qari Zakir, were added to the UN's Afghanistan-Taliban sanctions list. This means nations must apply an assets freeze and travel ban against Zakir and seize any assets belonging to the network as well as impose an arms embargo.

The United States put the Haqqani network on its terror blacklist in September.

Founded by Jalaluddin Haqqani, a CIA asset turned Al-Qaeda ally who was close to Pakistani intelligence, the network is considered the most dangerous faction in the Taliban army in Afghanistan.

The militants have been blamed for spectacular attacks on Afghan government and NATO targets across Afghanistan as well as kidnappings and other murders.

Afghanistan's spy agency said in August that Haqqani's operational commander, Badruddin Haqqani, a son of the founder, had been killed in a US drone attack.

The designation could embarrass Pakistan, which is currently a member of the UN Security Council.

But it was welcomed by the United States.

Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN, said the measures expand upon the US moves and "confirms the international community's resolve to end the Haqqani network's ability to execute violent attacks in Afghanistan.

"It also reflects the Security Council's commitment to use and enforce sanctions against those who threaten peace in Afghanistan, in conjunction with a strong commitment to support Afghan-led peace and reconciliation."

Rice said that Zakir "has been involved in many of the Haqqani network's highest-profile suicide attacks and has trained individuals to use small arms, heavy weapons and improvised explosive devices."

She said operatives trained by Zakir attacked two international coalition bases in 2010, the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul in June 2011 -- an attack which killed 11 civilians and two Afghan police -- and the US embassy in Kabul in September 2011, which killed 16 Afghans, including at least six children. (Reuters)