MUSCAT, Oman — Amid reports of divisions within the Taliban leadership, Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, dismissed claims of internal power struggles, insisting that loyalty to Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban’s supreme leader, remains absolute.
“There will be no bloodshed over power (within the Taliban),” Muttaqi said in remarks made during a visit to Oman. “If I am a minister, I will serve. If I am not, I will not. This is not a system where a dismissed minister will sulk and demand compensation.”
His comments come as questions continue to swirl over the fate of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s acting interior minister, who has not been publicly seen at the ministry for two months. The ministry has not released any statements confirming his presence. However, recent photographs circulated by Haqqani’s allies show him alongside Yaqub Mujahid, the Taliban’s defense minister, and Anas Haqqani, his brother. The time and location of the images remain unclear.
The resurfacing of Haqqani follows reports of growing tensions between the Kandahar faction, led by Akhundzada, and the Haqqani network, a powerful bloc within the Taliban. Some observers believe Haqqani has opposed Akhundzada’s policies and has distanced himself from the leadership.
While Muttaqi insists the Taliban remain unified, Akhundzada appears to be consolidating power in Kandahar, the movement’s traditional stronghold.
A high-level security meeting was recently held in Kandahar under the leadership of Yaqub Mujahid—but notably without Haqqani’s presence, despite his role as interior minister. In Haqqani’s absence, Akhundzada personally appointed and reassigned at least five Taliban police commanders, including Kandahar’s top security official.
According to sources who spoke to Amu TV, Akhundzada has also ordered the deployment of a 2,000-strong special security force, made up of elite fighters from the Taliban’s intelligence and interior ministry, to Kandahar and surrounding provinces.
Arif Rahmani, a former Afghan lawmaker, told Amu that internal divisions within the Taliban are becoming increasingly apparent.
“The rift is clear and undeniable, especially since Haqqani’s controversial trip to the UAE,” Rahmani said. “He has not returned to the interior ministry since.”
In recent weeks, Haqqani’s supporters have launched a social media campaign, circulating speeches and images that emphasize his vision for governance. One widely shared clip from a speech given a year ago in Khost Province warned about the dangers of unchecked power.
“When power blinds people, disobedience follows,” Haqqani said in the video. “And disobedience is an insult to faith and to the system.”
A recent United Nations report also acknowledged growing tensions within the Taliban leadership. The U.N. Secretary-General’s latest assessment indicated that Akhundzada is actively working to consolidate his rule, holding strategic meetings in Kandahar and appointing loyalists to key positions.
