Suleiman Khel
Encyclopedia
The Suleiman Khel are a Pashtun
sub-tribe of the Ghilzai
confederation. In the early 20th century, the tribe was recognised as generally pastoral.
In 1924, the Suleiman Khel joined in the Khost Rebellion
initiated by the Mangal
tribe.
The Suleiman Khel are one of the largest Ghilzai
Pashtun
subtribes. According to Ghulab Mangal, former governor of Paktika Province
, the Suleimankhel provided the majority of recruits for the Taliban in the province. As a result, the level of Anti-Coalition Militia activities remain high in areas dominated by Suleiman Khel. The bias of some sub-tribes toward the Taliban in part may be explained by their proximity to the Pakistan border and the influx of insurgents and the radical politics. They have been allied with the Hotaki
in the past, and their traditional rivals include the Kharoti
. Principal sub-divisions of the Suleimankhel include the Alizai, Sulemanzai, and Jalalzai. Other sub-divisions include the Alikhel, the Nizamkhel, and the Shakhel. It is interesting to note that the Alikhel sub-tribe, which primarily lives in the northwest of Paktika, has been more cooperative with the central government and coalition forces. The Nizamkhel and Shakhel also remain more supportive of the government, which may be explained in part by their rivalry with the Jalalzai
.
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
sub-tribe of the Ghilzai
Ghilzai
Ghilzai are the largest Pashtun tribal confederacy found in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They are also known historically as Ghilji, Khilji, Ghalji, Ghilzye, and possibly Gharzai...
confederation. In the early 20th century, the tribe was recognised as generally pastoral.
In 1924, the Suleiman Khel joined in the Khost Rebellion
Khost Rebellion
The Khost Rebellion was an uprising by the Mangal Pashtun tribe, later joined by the Sulaiman Khel and Ali Khel tribes, against the Westernising reforms made by King Amanullah. The rebellion was defeated in January 1925, but succeeded in delaying many of the king's reforms until 1928....
initiated by the Mangal
Mangal
Mangal is the name for Turkish barbecue. In a more social context, it resembles braai of South Africa.Mangal is popular in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Israel, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and countries in the Levant...
tribe.
The Suleiman Khel are one of the largest Ghilzai
Ghilzai
Ghilzai are the largest Pashtun tribal confederacy found in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They are also known historically as Ghilji, Khilji, Ghalji, Ghilzye, and possibly Gharzai...
Pashtun
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
subtribes. According to Ghulab Mangal, former governor of Paktika Province
Paktika Province
Paktika is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the south-east of the country. Most of the population is Pashtun. Its capital is Sharan.-Political and military situation:...
, the Suleimankhel provided the majority of recruits for the Taliban in the province. As a result, the level of Anti-Coalition Militia activities remain high in areas dominated by Suleiman Khel. The bias of some sub-tribes toward the Taliban in part may be explained by their proximity to the Pakistan border and the influx of insurgents and the radical politics. They have been allied with the Hotaki
Hotaki
The Hotaki were an Afghan tribe and dynasty that ruled over Afghanistan, most of Iran, and northwestern parts of Pakistan from 1722 to 1729, after defeating the Persian Safavid dynasty. The Hotaki dynasty was founded in 1709 by Mirwais Hotak, chief of the Ghilzai Pashtuns of Kandahar who led a...
in the past, and their traditional rivals include the Kharoti
Kharoti
Kharoti is a Pashtun tribe of Ghilzai origin. The tribe has an estimated population of about 2.5 million ....
. Principal sub-divisions of the Suleimankhel include the Alizai, Sulemanzai, and Jalalzai. Other sub-divisions include the Alikhel, the Nizamkhel, and the Shakhel. It is interesting to note that the Alikhel sub-tribe, which primarily lives in the northwest of Paktika, has been more cooperative with the central government and coalition forces. The Nizamkhel and Shakhel also remain more supportive of the government, which may be explained in part by their rivalry with the Jalalzai
Jalalzai
Jalalzai is a Pashtun tribe settled in Southern Pashtunkhwa and Afghanistan. It is a sub tribe of Kakar Sanzarkhail and its further branches include Karimzai, Kamaludinzai, Shabozai, Shahizai, Mehmanzai, Khwajezai, Babakarzai, Khudizai, Talkhanzai ....
.