White House, Afghan Government Confirm 2013 Death of Taliban Leader

The White House has confirmed reports from the Afghani government that well-known Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar died two years ago.

Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security reported this week that Omar reportedly died in a Pakistani hospital in 2013. The terrorist was viewed as the head of the Taliban in Afghanistan that formed a strong partnership with al-Qaeda ahead of the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City.

Omar also reportedly oversaw the Taliban in the Middle East following the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Abdul Hassib Sediqi, spokesman for Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security, told the Associated Press this week that it can officially be confirmed that Omar died in a hospital in Pakistan in 2013.

"We confirm officially that he is dead," he told the Associated Press.

According to CBS News, the spokesperson for Afghani President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani also confirmed that Omar has been dead for two years.

"The government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, based on credible information, confirms that Mullah Mohammad Omar, leader of the Taliban died in April 2013 in Pakistan," the spokesperson said.

According to the BBC, the Afghan government has been committed to a peace process with the Taliban since last year, saying it a statement that it called on "all armed opposition groups to seize the opportunity and join the peace process."

"The government of Afghanistan believes that grounds for the Afghan peace talks are more paved now than before, and thus calls on all armed opposition groups to seize the opportunity and join the peace process," the statement said.