Who are the leaders of the Taliban?

The Taliban, an extremist Islamic group that governed Afghanistan until ousted by U.S. troops in 2001, has had a quick succession of leaders recently. A look at who has led the group as it wages an insurgency against the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan:

Mullah Mohammad Omar

One-eyed cleric Mullah Mohammad Omar, who gave sanctuary to Osama bin Laden when the al-Qaeda leader planned the 9/11 attacks, was for years one of the most sought-after targets of American intelligence.

He apparently died in 2013 while hiding in Pakistan, but his death was kept hidden by the Taliban for two years until confirmed by Afghanistan's main intelligence agency last July. The U.S. State Department had placed a $10 million bounty on his head.

Mullah Omar, driven from power when U.S.-led forces invaded Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks, was believed to have been about 53 when he died. The Afghan government said the cleric died from tuberculosis and other ailments.

Mullah Akhtar Mansour

The world did not learn about the Taliban leadership of Mullah Akhtar Mansour for nearly two years after he took command following the death of Mullah Muhammad Omar. Mansour effectively led the militant group until he was formally installed by an election in 2015.

He was believed to be about 48 when he was killed last weekend by a U.S. drone strike in a remote area of Pakistan. Mansour had been Mullah Omar's deputy before assuming command. Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said he was "actively involved with planning attacks against facilities in Kabul and across Afghanistan." The Pakistani government, which is fighting its own Taliban insurgency, protested the U.S. strike on its soil without its knowledge or permission.

Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada

In a swift succession of power this week, the Taliban announced Wednesday that the former leader of the organization's court system, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada would take over following Mansour's death, which the group finally confirmed. Akhundzada is a hawkish religious cleric and scholar.

He is believed to be in his mid-50s and has been described by the New York Times as a strong spiritual leader who could possibly unite divisions within the Taliban movement. Akhundzada is said to lack military experience. Two key deputies are Mullah Yaqoub, son of Mullah Omar, and Sirajuddin Haqqani, head of the Haqqani terrorist network that has been battling the Afghan government for many years.

Contributing: Tom Vanden Brook, Kim Hjelmgaard and Jane Onyanga-Omara.