Internal Turmoil in Taliban: The Internet Shutdown Exposes a Leadership Rift

Thu Jan 15 2026 11:31:51 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent investigation reveals significant divisions within Taliban leadership following a controversial internet shutdown, highlighting the struggle between traditionalists and pragmatists in governing Afghanistan.

A leaked audio clip of Taliban's supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, reveals worries about internal power struggles within the group. The recent internet shutdown ordered by Akhundzada was countered by ministers from the more modernist 'Kabul group', indicating an unprecedented challenge to his authority. The Taliban leadership appears split between those advocating for strict Islamic principles and those seeking engagement with the international community.

Internal Turmoil in Taliban: The Internet Shutdown Exposes a Leadership Rift

2 hours ago

A recent BBC report reveals a rift at the top of the Taliban leadership triggered by an internal clash of wills over an internet shutdown. The supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, known for his mistrust of modern technology, issued an order to cut off internet access across Afghanistan. However, ministers from a rival faction, known as the 'Kabul group', took action to restore connectivity, indicating a significant challenge to Akhundzada's authority.

The audio clip containing Akhundzada's concerns about internal divisions within the Taliban provides insight into the ongoing power struggle. He fears that these divisions could ultimately lead to the collapse of the regime he leads. In the leaked recording, he warned members of his group against being pitted against each other, particularly as the political landscape remains tense due to international scrutiny and domestic instability.

Divided between traditionalists who support Akhundzada's radical Islamic vision and a more pragmatic faction based in Kabul that advocates for engagement with the outside world, the Taliban leadership is at a crossroads. Insiders describe the rivalry as the struggle between the Kandahar camp, loyal to Akhundzada, and the Kabul group, pushing for modernization without completely abandoning Islamic values.

As the turmoil continues, the question remains whether this internal dissent will affect the Taliban's governance structure, especially regarding critical issues like women's education and rights, which remain highly contentious within Afghanistan.