Description: Latest reports in the country have suggested on a potential power rift between several fractions of the Taliban – led Afghanistan government. Taliban’s spiritual leader Hibatullah Akhundzada is currently facing mounting pressure from ambitious and policy countering fractions such as Sirajuddin Haqqani, leader of a powerful military fraction with consistent power in the eastern parts of the country. Other opposing fractions included Mullah Mohammad Yaqub, Afghanistan’s current Defense Minister and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Head of the Taliban’s political office. The dissolution came as a response to resurgence of the IS – K (Islamic State of Khorasan) in the country with recent bombing attempt, and the assassination of the Taliban’s refugee leader Minister Khalil Haqqani.
Impact: Afghanistan is currently facing severe security, humanitarian and socio – economic crisis under Taliban leadership. Since the US withdrawal in 2021, the Taliban have shown a relatively unified front in facing the country’s growing challenges, however, recent information indicates on potential inter – organizational conflicts which could escalate violence within the ranks of the Taliban. The group is under constant threat of the IS – K extremist attacks and is facing significant economic crisis aiming to rebuild the country. The internal conflicts of interest and policy could lead to continuous attempts of assassinations of the leaders of various fractions which could potentially cause a prolonged armed crisis within the country. The IS – K factor plays a crucial factor at the moment as dissolution among the Taliban could indicate on potential resurgence in severe terrorist attacks and extremist violence.