Impact of Mullah Omar's reported death

2015-07-29T11:48:49-04:00

CNN's reporting their Afghan sources as saying Mullah Omar died in Pakistan two years ago.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/29/asia/afghanistan-mullah-omar/index.html

Afghanistan: Taliban leader Mullah Omar died in 2013 - CNN.com

Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar died more than two years ago in a hospital in Pakistan of an unknown illness, Afghan intelligence official says.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 11:58 AM

2015-07-29T11:58:43-04:00

If indeed it is true, that is a small victory against the Taliban. However, no matter how many Taliban leaders are captured or removed from being able to exert influence many more seem to step up.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Jul 29 at 2015 1:10 PM

2015-07-29T13:10:58-04:00

I chose Business as usual, and to a degree I think it has already been seen. The news report I heard this morning said that he may have been dead for two to three years. That being said, it is so difficult to find out when these people who have gone into hiding die because they are in hiding. It is easier sometimes to leave a name circulating to keep the attention away from what is really happening. It is the Dread Pirate Roberts effect. Mullah Omar is alive, those who oppose the Taliban are still looking for Mullah Omar. Nobody is paying attention to Bob who is running the show from behind the scenes. But if now you know Mullah Omar is now Mullah Bob, you can move assets to find the real threat.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 1:19 PM

2015-07-29T13:19:43-04:00

He has already been replaced, if as it says he died in 2013, the change of leadership has already occurred.

Response by CW3 Stephen Bacon made Jul 29 at 2015 1:47 PM

2015-07-29T13:47:29-04:00

He died 2 years ago..... The Poll questions are a bit pointless don't you think?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 2:33 PM

2015-07-29T14:33:22-04:00

It's a many headed snake, multiple coordinated strikes is the only way I see to make a true dent.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 4:34 PM

2015-07-29T16:34:19-04:00

Would like another category of response, but chose the selection of another leader. Not sure they actually vote....that sounds too democratic. Now, if one has a vacancy for two years and no one notices, one wonders if the job was that important or if the new fellow is some sort of ninja, below the intell radar. Or just more fun with propaganda.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Jul 29 at 2015 5:27 PM

2015-07-29T17:27:19-04:00

If he died 2 years ago, I have seen no significant changes in their operations... Also, wonder if the USA has continued looking for said dead guy for this time frame??!! The only way I can see it causing an insurgency spike would be if his demise was new news to them also..... End of Taliban? Not so much.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jul 29 at 2015 5:28 PM

2015-07-29T17:28:48-04:00

If he's been dead for two years, I highly doubt this will have much effect on the current Taliban insurgency. He's been long replaced.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 29 at 2015 5:34 PM

2015-07-29T17:34:09-04:00

The Taliban will exist because we cant afford enough security, and we don't go into the Taliban territory to kill them.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jul 30 at 2015 9:22 AM

2015-07-30T09:22:17-04:00

Looks like he's visiting Allah - at least according to CNN. Of course, the good Mullah's been reported dead before, so stand by for continuing developments. I DID hear his son is taking over the Inner Shura, however, lending credence to the good Mullah's demise.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/29/opinions/bergen-mullah-omar/index.html

The enigmatic Mullah Omar and his legacy - CNN.com

Mysterious in his reported death as he was in life, the Taliban leader lost control of his country when he refused to turn over Osama bin Laden to the U.S.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jul 30 at 2015 11:12 AM

2015-07-30T11:12:50-04:00

Taliban confirmed - Mullah Omar died in APR 13 My question is -- the Pakistanis knew this and didn't let us know? They (Pakistan) define the term "frenemy"
http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/30/asia/afghanistan-mullah-omar/index.html

Taliban confirm Mullah Omar's death, name new leader - CNN.com

Taliban leaders unanimously decided during a meeting in Afghanistan that Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour will be the Taliban's new leader.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jul 30 at 2015 5:12 PM

2015-07-30T17:12:04-04:00

Taliban names Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour as its new head, replacing the late (?) Mullah Muhammad Omar. Given the timing, it looks as if Mansour has been running the joint for a while now.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/30/asia/afghanistan-mullah-omar/index.html

Taliban confirm Mullah Omar's death, name new leader - CNN.com

Taliban leaders unanimously decided during a meeting in Afghanistan that Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour will be the Taliban's new leader.

Response by SGT Christopher Churilla made Jul 30 at 2015 5:17 PM

2015-07-30T17:17:58-04:00

The Taliban are still up and running, right? Then the amount of impact is ZERO.