Leaked Audio Reveals Growing Tensions
A leaked audio recording of a speech by Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has exposed deepening internal divisions within Afghanistan’s ruling movement, according to a BBC News investigation. In the recording, delivered at a seminary in Kandahar about a year ago, Akhundzada warns that internal disagreements could ultimately bring down the Islamic Emirate.
The message has fuelled long-standing speculation about a power struggle between hardline leaders based in southern Kandahar and more pragmatic Taliban figures operating from the capital, Kabul. While Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid dismissed the BBC’s conclusions as “unfounded,” he implicitly confirmed the authenticity of the audio, saying it was being misinterpreted.
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In a rare leaked address, Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada warned his commanders that the Islamic Emirate is no longer under threat from foreign forces, but now faces a soft war of propaganda and internal dissent.
Akhundzada indirectly pointed to… pic.twitter.com/QRPe6Ib2IA
— Pak-Afghan Matters (@pakafghanmatter) January 15, 2026
Kandahar vs Kabul: Two Visions for Afghanistan
The report describes two clear factions within the Taliban. The first is led by Akhundzada and rooted in Kandahar. This group promotes an isolated, ultra-conservative Islamic state where power is tightly controlled by religious loyalists and strict rules govern every aspect of life, including severe limits on women’s rights and education.
The second faction is largely based in Kabul and includes senior ministers, influential commanders and religious figures. While still deeply conservative, this group favours a more pragmatic approach: engaging with the international community, reviving the economy, and easing restrictions such as the ban on girls’ education beyond primary school.
Tensions reportedly peaked in September when Akhundzada ordered a nationwide shutdown of the internet and phone networks. Just three days later, services were restored, reportedly after Kabul-based leaders defied the order, an act some experts described as unprecedented within the Taliban.
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Power Consolidation and Uneasy Silence
Since returning to power in 2021, Akhundzada has steadily centralised authority in Kandahar, sidelining well-known figures such as Mullah Baradar, Sirajuddin Haqqani and Mullah Yaqoob by limiting them to ministerial roles. He rarely appears in public, avoids Kabul, and is said to issue orders directly to local forces, bypassing the cabinet.
Although Kabul leaders privately worry about Kandahar’s dominance and Afghanistan’s growing isolation, analysts say a direct challenge to Akhundzada remains unlikely. For now, unity is publicly maintained, but the cracks beneath the surface are becoming harder to hide.
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