Ismail Khan | |
|---|---|
 Ismail Khan at the 2010 National Conference on Water Resources, Development and Management of Afghanistan | |
| Minister of Energy and Water | |
| In office 2004 – October 2013 | |
| President | Hamid Karzai |
| Succeeded by | Mohammad Arif Noorzai |
| Governor of Herat Province | |
| In office 2001 – 12 September 2004 | |
| President | Hamid Karzai |
| Preceded by | Mulla Yaar Mohammad |
| Succeeded by | Sayed Mohammad Khairkhah |
| In office 1992–1997 | |
| Succeeded by | Mullah Yaar Mohammad |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1946 (age 77–78) Shindand, Herat Province, Kingdom of Afghanistan |
| Political party | Jamiat-e-Islami |
| Occupation | Politician, former Mujahideen leader |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  Islamic National Army (1967‐79) |
| Years of service | 1967-2021 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | |
Mohammad Ismail Khan (Dari/Pashto: محمد اسماعیل خان) (born 1946) is an Afghan former politician who served as Minister of Energy and Water from 2005 to 2013 and before that served as the governor of Herat Province. Originally a captain in the Afghan Army, he is widely known as a former warlord who controlled a large mujahideen force, mainly his fellow Tajiks from western Afghanistan, during the Soviet–Afghan War.[1]
His reputation gained him the nickname Lion of Herat.[2] Ismail Khan was a key member of the now exiled political party Jamiat-e Islami and of the now defunct United National Front party.[3] In 2021, Ismail Khan returned to arms to help defend Herat from the Taliban's offensive, which he and the Afghan Army lost.[4] He was captured by the Taliban forces[5][6][7] and then reportedly fled to Iran on 16 August 2021.[8][9]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
in.newswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Afghan warlord Ismail Khan, known as 'Lion of Herat', detained by Taliban as his city falls to insurgents". 13 August 2021.
- ^ Williams, Brian Glyn (2012). Afghanistan declassified : a guide to America's longest war (1st ed.). University of Pennsylvania Press: Philadelphia, 2011. pp. 29–30. ISBN 9780812206159. OCLC 793012539.
- ^ "On the front line in Afghanistan with Ismail Khan, the 'Lion of Herat'". Independent.co.uk. 9 August 2021.
- ^ Hassan, Sharif (13 August 2021). "An Afghan warlord who steadfastly resisted the Taliban surrendered. Others may follow his lead". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
- ^ "Former Herat governor and Afghan chief Ismail Khan has joined the Taliban with supporters". Nation World News. 13 August 2021. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
- ^ "Ismail Khan joins Islamic Emirate with all his supporters and troops – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan". Archived from the original on 17 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
- ^ Jaafari, Shirin (16 August 2021). "Former warlord Ismail Khan led a militia against the Taliban. He spoke to The World days before Afghans lost the fight". The World. Cambridge, MA: Public Radio Exchange.
- ^ "The Taleban leadership converges on Kabul as remnants of the republic reposition themselves". Afghanistan Analysts Network - English. 19 August 2021.