KABUL (Kashmir English): Severe internal divisions have emerged within the Afghan Taliban’s top leadership, with reports suggesting that the Taliban government in Afghanistan is now effectively divided into two factions.
According to a recent BBC report, a leaked audio clip of Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada has surfaced, where he can be heard warning that internal divisions could lead to the end of the Islamic Emirate.
Kabul vs Kandahar
According to the BBC, the Taliban leadership is divided into two clear factions. The group in Kandahar is led by Haibatullah Akhundzada, who believes in a hardline Islamic Emirate.
Akhundzada has made Kandahar a power base and has taken key decisions, such as the distribution of security forces and weapons from Kabul.
Their vision is of a system that is cut off from the modern world, where religious figures maintain complete control over society.
This faction strongly opposes women’s education and employment and views modern technology, especially the internet, as a threat to Islamic values.
In contrast, the faction in Kabul is considered relatively pragmatic, with powerful leaders such as Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, Defense Minister Mullah Yaqoob, and Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar.
The group wants a Gulf-like model for Afghanistan that is economically active and has ties to the international community, along with an Islamic identity.
These leaders believe that it is not possible to run the country without trade, diplomacy, and statecraft, which is why the group also supports modern technology and limited education for girls.
The BBC report also states that Haibatullah Akhundzada’s role has changed significantly over time.
There was speculation that Kabul ministers would be punished, but Haibatullah Akhundzada reportedly refrained from taking any drastic action for fear of a possible split.
