Tension in Afghanistan due to split in the Taliban Govt

Taliban’s supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani

Kabul (Afghanistan) – The BBC has reported that the Taliban Government in Afghanistan is facing the risk of collapse. An audio recording related to this development has surfaced, indicating that the Government has split into two factions. One faction is led by the Taliban’s supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, while the other is headed by Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani. Ideological differences and disagreements over the exercise of power between the two groups have now raised serious questions about the organisation’s unity.

🚨 Taliban Leadership in Crisis?

Leaked audio from supreme leader Akhundzada reveals alarming internal divisions that could threaten the so-called Islamic Emirate

📍 Two camps now emerging:
A hardline Kandahar faction pushing strict isolation, and a more pragmatic Kabul group… pic.twitter.com/TeFehU7ZbI

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) January 16, 2026

According to the BBC report, Akhundzada states in the audio recording, “People within the Government are fighting among themselves. If these internal differences continue to grow, the Islamic Emirate (Taliban Government) will collapse and be destroyed.” Akhundzada delivered this speech in January 2025 before Taliban fighters at a madarasa in the city of Kandahar.

There is conflict between Taliban’s Kandahar group and Kabul group

The first active group of the Taliban is completely loyal to Akhundzada. This group works from Kandahar and wants to stay aloof from the world and make Afghanistan a fundamental Islamic Emirate. The other group functions from the capital Kabul. This group lead by Sirajuddin Haqqani also accepts Fundamental Islamic Emirate in principal; but it also feels that Afghanistan should be connected with the world order, its economy should be strengthened, women and girls should have a right to minimum education, which at present is at a very basic primary level.