Amu: The Taliban’s leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has issued a directive banning the construction of windows in residential buildings that overlook neighboring homes, particularly those housing women. The order, which the Taliban say is aimed at “preserving privacy and protecting women from potential harm,” imposes strict limitations on property owners. According to the decree, individuals building
8am: Many still wonder whether Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada exists. Some say no, others say yes. At times, bizarre and laughable rumors circulate, too absurd to mention. For instance, some suggest that Hamid Karzai is Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada. This perception stems from Karzai’s past Taliban-friendly policies and stances, which led people to draw such conclusions. Yet,
8am: The assassination of Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani, the Taliban’s Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, signals that the power struggle between Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Supreme Leader of the Taliban, and Sirajuddin Haqqani, the group’s Minister of Interior and the head of the Haqqani Network, has entered a new phase. This phase seems unlikely to be confined
8am: Over the past three years, numerous reports have highlighted tensions between Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban Supreme Leader, and Sirajuddin Haqqani, the group’s Interior Minister. Recently, Hasht-e Subh Daily obtained information indicating that Akhundzada summoned several local Taliban commanders from various provinces and warned them about their loyalty to Haqqani. Akhundzada reportedly told some of
8am: An audio recording of a speech by Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban Supreme Leader, has been obtained by the Hasht-e Subh Daily, in which he issued an order to close all schools, including both girls’ and boys’ schools, in Afghanistan. In the speech, Akhundzada compares the concept of school with that of a madrassa, stating
Afghanistan International: With these changes, it seems that Hibatullah is trying to expand and consolidate his influence. One-third of these appointments have been made in Afghanistan’s southern provinces. Hibatullah has appointed and replaced dozens of people, including ministers, deputies, and commanders of the Taliban’s army. Many of these appointments are made not on the basis
8am: This order is seen as another step toward consolidating power in Akhundzada’s hands in Kandahar. Many observers view it as an indication of growing distrust between Akhundzada and senior Taliban officials in Kabul. Previously, some Taliban leaders, including Sirajuddin Haqqani, have openly defied Akhundzada’s bans on photography and filming, disregarding their “Amir’s” directives. Click
Amu: According to a new decree attributed to the Taliban leader, the Ministries of Defence, Interior and the General Directorate of Intelligence have been stripped of the authority to distribute weapons, ammunition and military equipment. According to the decree, only the Taliban leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, can decide on the distribution of military equipment. Some see
Afghanistan International: Aino Maina, a posh neighbourhood in Kandahar, was previously home to government officials, businessmen, and some “smugglers” during the previous regime. Since the Taliban’s rise to power, it has become a favoured and secure location for Taliban officials, with many of these homes now serving as residences and investment properties for the group’s
8am: Mullah Hibatullah appears to be traveling to the north to solidify his presence in these regions and simultaneously manage internal group conflicts. Internal conflicts within the Taliban are escalating due to ethnic biases. Some commanders who are not ethnically aligned with Mullah Hibatullah have been suppressed, while others seem to be sidelined. This situation