Taliban Power Struggle Escalates as Emir's Militia Deploys to Kabul

Siraj Haqqani, Al Qaeda ally, seeks foreign support as "moderate" choice to lead Afghanistan

February 10, 2025 — In a sign that the long-simmering power struggle at the heart of the Taliban could be reaching a breaking point, Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada has deployed thousands of fighters to Kabul in an apparent move to preempt any challenge to his rule. Meanwhile, his chief rival, interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, has been in the United Arab Emirates, meeting with foreign officials in a bid to shore up his own position, Afghan sources said.