ISLAMABAD: In a rare revelation of vulnerability at the pinnacle of Talibanauthority, supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has warned that escalatinginternal divisions among senior figures could precipitate the downfall ofthe Islamic Emirate. A leaked audio clip, first reported by BBC sources,captures Akhundzada addressing Taliban members in Kandahar during January2025, where he explicitly cautioned that persistent disagreements mightlead to the complete collapse of their governance structure. Thisadmission, emerging amid recent controversies including a nationwideinternet shutdown, underscores growing fissures within the movement thatseized power in 2021.
The leaked recording, authenticated through multiple journalisticinvestigations, features Akhundzada emphasizing the perils of “insiders inthe government” pitted against one another. He reportedly stated that suchdivisions could ultimately cause the emirate to “collapse and end.”Analysts interpret this as a direct acknowledgment of rival factionschallenging his absolute authority from Kandahar, contrasting sharply withthe more pragmatic approach adopted by officials in Kabul who seek limitedinternational engagement to alleviate Afghanistan’s dire economic crisis.
Underlying these tensions is a clear ideological and operational split. Onefaction, staunchly loyal to Akhundzada and rooted in Kandahar, pursues anuncompromising vision of a strict Islamic Emirate isolated from moderninfluences, with religious clerics dominating all societal aspects. Inopposition, the Kabul-based group, including influential ministers andmilitary commanders, advocates for balancing hardline Islamic principleswith pragmatic economic policies to secure foreign aid and reduceAfghanistan’s pariah status internationally. This divide gained prominencefollowing Akhundzada’s September 2025 order to sever internet and phoneservices nationwide, a directive reversed within days reportedly by Kabulofficials against his wishes.
The incident highlights Akhundzada’s centralized control, exercisedremotely from Kandahar, where he maintains a reclusive existence with onlya handful of verified images existing publicly. Since assuming leadershipin 2016, he has progressively consolidated power through decrees,sidelining perceived moderates and enforcing policies that have drawnwidespread international condemnation, including International CriminalCourt arrest warrants issued in July 2025 for alleged crimes againsthumanity related to gender persecution.
Despite public denials from Taliban spokespersons insisting on unbreakableunity, independent reports from over 100 interviews with current and formermembers reveal mounting frustrations. Senior figures like SirajuddinHaqqani and Mohammad Yaqoob have occasionally questioned decisions, thoughrarely in open defiance. Akhundzada’s periodic reshuffling of governors andofficials, including 25 changes in early 2026, appears aimed at quellingdissent and reinforcing loyalty among Pashtun hardliners.
The broader implications extend beyond internal politics. Afghanistan’shumanitarian situation remains precarious, with dwindling aid inflowsexacerbated by isolationist policies. United Nations assessments indicatethat strict governance has alienated potential donors, while publicdiscontent simmers over restrictions on women’s rights, education, andemployment. Observers note that while external threats from groups likeIslamic State Khorasan Province persist, the supreme leader now appearsmore preoccupied with internal cohesion than with insurgent rivals.
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As 2026 unfolds, the leaked audio injects fresh uncertainty into theTaliban’s future stability. Whether Akhundzada’s warnings will promptreconciliation or accelerate factional confrontation remains unclear.Historical precedents from the movement’s past suggest that unresolveddivisions have previously weakened the Taliban, though the absence oforganized opposition today complicates predictions. The regime’s ability tonavigate these challenges will likely determine its longevity in power.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg7vdpy1l2vo
Kabul faction
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