Haqqani (left) and Akhundzada

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 to verbal tensions alone. The power struggle has intensified to the point where the solution appears to lie in the physical elimination of rivals rather than mere rhetoric. If Sirajuddin Haqqani’s uncle was indeed assassinated as part of this power struggle an interpretation supported by certain signs. We can expect a response from the Haqqani Network, which is far more adept at assassination and suicide bombings than other Taliban factions. The Haqqani Network has yet to unleash its full terrorist potential against its adversary. If Mullah Hibatullah, as reported by an Indian media outlet, intends to remove Sirajuddin Haqqani from his position, the coming weeks and months could witness an escalation in the power struggle, potentially culminating in a confrontation. In this brief analysis, I aim to examine the strengths and weaknesses of both sides in this long-standing power struggle and assess which faction possesses greater power and resources to prevail over the other. Click here to read more (external link).