Taliban War: Hibatullah Akhundzada Seizes Power, Haqqani Flees

Sources suggest that internecine fighting has become more apparent within the Taliban. The group’s leader now known as Hibatullah Akhundzada has planned to have his gunmen in strategic areas such as Balamibar Fort and Kabul International Airport. Before all of these regions were under the influence of the Haqqani Network, which is a branch of the Taliban headed by Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is also the Interior Minister of Afghanistan in the Taliban government. Haqqani went to the UAE and Saudi Arabia a month ago and has not visited Afghanistan since then.

Sirajuddin Haqqani’s ties to Pakistan
In this development power display between the Kandahar faction headed by Akhundzada and the Haqqani Network headed by Haqqani was highlighted. In particular, the Haqqani faction is supported from the territories of Pakistan, while the Kandahar faction is against them. It is believed to be a possibility that Pakistan is involved in this conflict particularly with recent acts of aid being provided to Sirajuddin Haqqani’s recent travels which was frowned upon by the Kandahar faction.

Several Afghan fighters from Kandahar have arrived in Kabul as reported by The News Agencies in October 3, 2007.
The airport security officer further asseverated that in the course of one week, so many fighters from Kandahar have been deployed to Kabul to form the new security detail. Still, another airport employee said: “The city is becoming more and more military-like.” Bases at the airport and in other locations such as Bala Hissar are now under the men who have taken over the fight in Kandahar, the Taliban fighters. They are clearly well-equipped and present themselves significantly in various regions of the city of Kabul at the moment.

Kandahar fighters deployed in Kabul
In relying on navbharattimes.indiatimes.com, the author stated that a large number of fighters from Kandahar have been deployed in the past one week, likely as replacements to existing security forces.  “The city looks completely militarized. Biased Western media and security officials said, “Taliban fighters from Kandahar have now taken over from Kunduz at least the entrance to the airport as well checkpoints at Bala Hissar,” an employee, for instance, was cited by the publication.

It is now seen that Kandahar based heavily armed fighters are roaming around different area of Kabul to demonstrate their dominance in the capital city.

The priority security measures have been taken in connection with the internal conflict in the leadership of the Taliban movement. According to the sources of Kandahar and Kabul media, Akhundzada intends to place his own fighters to minimize the influence of Haqqani Network that had previously dominated these regions.