Breaking News, Latest Philippines Headlines, World, Entertainment, Politics, Weather & Video News
KABUL, Afghanistan (AFP) — Taliban supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada addressed supporters in the southern city of Kandahar, officials announced Sunday, his first public appearance since taking control of the group in 2016. Akhundzada has been the spiritual chief of the Islamist movement since 2016 but has remained a reclusive figure, even after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. His low profile has fed speculation about his role in the new Taliban government, formed after […]
The Taliban movement’s inner workings and leadership have always been largely shrouded in secrecy, even during their rule of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. As the hardline Islamic group appears to be on the brink of regaining power, here is a rundown of what little is known about its leadership. – Haibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader – Haibatullah Akhundzada was appointed leader of the Taliban in a swift power transition after a US drone […]
KABUL, Afghanistan (AFP) — New Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada on Saturday called on the US to end its “occupation” of Afghanistan in his first message since being appointed the militant group’s chief in May. “Admit the realities instead of useless use of force and muscle… and put an end to the occupation,” Akhundzada said in a speech on the eve of Eid-al-Fitr, the Muslim festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. “Our […]
KABUL, Afghanistan(AFP) — The Afghan Taliban on Wednesday announced influential religious figure Haibatullah Akhundzada as their new leader after confirming supremo Mullah Akhtar Mansour’s death in a US drone strike. “Haibatullah Akhundzada has been appointed as the new leader of the Islamic Emirate (Taliban) after a unanimous agreement in the shura (supreme council), and all the members of shura pledged allegiance to him,” the insurgents said in a statement. It added that Sirajuddin Haqqani, an […]
