Haqqani Shifts Stance After Kandahar Meeting

DID Press: Sirajuddin Haqqani’s shift in stance following a meeting with the Taliban leadership has once again fueled speculation about internal divisions within the group.

During his recent visit to Kandahar, Haqqani met with Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Taliban government.

The meeting came after Haqqani delivered a critical speech in Khost province, where he criticized current government policies without directly naming the Taliban leader.

After returning from Kandahar, Haqqani, in a new speech in Zabul province, changed his tone and emphasized that obedience to the Taliban leader’s directives and maintaining unity within the system are top priorities.

This shift comes amid earlier reports of Haqqani’s dissatisfaction over the reduction of the Interior Ministry’s powers and its limited access to military resources under the Taliban government.

The UN Sanctions Committee has also reported differences within the Taliban leadership, particularly regarding security policies and relations with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.

Observers believe Haqqani’s change in stance may be driven by internal pressures to preserve cohesion and stability within the Taliban’s power structure.