Hibatullah Stresses Obedience Amid Internal Taliban Tensions
Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Taliban administration, said in his latest speech that the continuation and protection of the group’s rule depend on “obedience,” an emphasis made amid reports of internal tensions and clashes among people affiliated with the administration.
He made the remarks on Saturday, 24 Asad, in Kandahar, in front of supporters of the Taliban administration, during an event marking the fifth anniversary of the group’s return to power. An audio file of the speech was released today.
In the speech, Hibatullah said: “Everyone should obey. Obey your emir. Do not disobey. Do not act on your own. If one day you disobey, that day this security will disappear and parallel governments will emerge.” He also urged officials and non-officials to show “absolute obedience.”
The leader of the Taliban administration further claimed that no one within the group’s structure opposes his orders. He added that he had sent a minister to the position of a chief and turned a chief into a minister, but, according to him, no one objected to these decisions.
These remarks came as reports have circulated of disagreements among different factions of the Taliban administration, reports the administration has consistently denied. However, Hibatullah’s repeated emphasis on obedience, alongside increasing signs of discontent within the group, has once again drawn attention to the administration’s internal situation.
In the latest incident, a disgruntled commander in Badakhshan clashed with Taliban fighters from the south. According to reports, the clash began last week in the Nasi district.
At the same time, military activity by opponents of the Taliban administration has also increased in Badakhshan and several other provinces. Badakhshan is one of Afghanistan’s northeastern provinces and has repeatedly seen security tensions and sporadic clashes in recent months.
