Internal Strife and Internet Shutdown Reveal Deep Rifts within Taliban Leadership

Thu Jan 15 2026 12:44:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A clash of ideologies escalates within the Taliban as the supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada's order to shut down the internet leads to rebellion from Kabul-based ministers. This internal conflict highlights contrasting visions for Afghanistan's future.

A leaked audio from Taliban's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada exposes internal rifts within the group as he warns of collapsing unity. The recent decision to shut down internet access was negated by Kabul-based ministers, signaling an unprecedented act of defiance against Akhundzada's authoritarian ruling. As factions within the Taliban reveal differing visions for Afghanistan—one advocating isolation and strict adherence to Sharia law, the other promoting limited engagement with the world—the question remains whether this internal turmoil will lead to meaningful changes for the Afghan people.

It was a piece of audio obtained by the BBC that revealed what worries the Taliban's leader most. Not an external danger, but one from within Afghanistan, which the Taliban seized control of as the previous government collapsed and the US withdrew in 2021.

In a leaked speech, the supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada warned of divisive factions within the Taliban, stating, As a result of these divisions, the emirate will collapse and end. This internal dissension fueled the BBC’s year-long investigation into the Taliban, uncovering two main factions: one loyal to Akhundzada, advocating for a strict Islamic Emirate, and the other, primarily based in Kabul, pushing for a more open and pragmatic approach to governance.

The clash reached a tipping point when Akhundzada ordered a shutdown of the internet in late September 2026, isolating Afghanistan from the outside world. However, within days, ministers from the Kabul group defied his orders and reinstated the internet, marking an unprecedented act of rebellion that shook the Taliban structure.

This decisive push against Akhundzada's authority indicates rising tensions and may represent a critical moment in the Taliban's governance as it faces pressure from both the international community and its own people, particularly regarding women's rights and education, which remain contentious issues. The outcome of this internal conflict may determine both the future of the Taliban and the well-being of Afghan citizens.