Taliban Internal Rift

Sources: Hibatullah bans Eid messages from Taliban officials

KANDAHAR — Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has issued a verbal directive barring Taliban senior officials from publishing Eid al-Adha greetings in public or through the media, two local sources familiar with the matter said on Sunday.

The sources said the directive was issued orally in recent days. Akhundzada reportedly stated that his Eid message alone suffices as the official stance of the Taliban leadership, and that further public messages from other officials were unnecessary.

“This year, it was not just a recommendation — it was a direct order,” one source said.

According to the sources, the instruction applies to all Taliban officials, including governors and senior political figures. The order was disseminated to Taliban ministries and provincial leaders through the office of Taliban chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, sources said.

In previous years, Akhundzada had made similar requests in a more informal capacity, sources said, adding that this year’s decision to issue a formal ban marks a shift in tone from suggestion to command.

The directive appears to reflect the Taliban leader’s continued efforts to consolidate authority and centralize messaging under his leadership.

However, sources noted that the order has not been fully observed in regions where the Haqqani network holds sway. In those areas, some Taliban members proceeded with public Eid greetings, despite the instruction from Kandahar, sources added.

Taliban have not publicly confirmed or commented on the reported directive.