Taliban troubles

Taliban's acting refugee minister Khalil Haqqani was assassinated in a daring suicide attack in Kabul's high security zone on Wednesday. The Khorasan franchise of the Islamic State (ISKP) terrorist group claimed credit for the bombing that must have shocked the Taliban because only a few weeks earlier the acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, was caught on camera riding a motorcycle through the Afghan capital in what was portrayed as a show of improved security under Taliban's rule. Haqqani's killing is the highest profile Taliban casualty since the group recaptured power in Afghanistan in 2021. He was the brother of 'Haqqani Network' founder Jalaluddin Haqqani and uncle of interim Afghan interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani.

After their ascent to power following the exit of foreign forces, the Taliban designated ISKP as an existential threat to their rule. A nationwide purge ensued during which several key ISKP figures were killed, leading Taliban officials to claim victory over the ultraorthodox terrorist group in 2024.

Improvement in security situation followed, but Haqqani's killing by ISKP inside his ministry's building shows it was too early to claim victory. It highlights challenges to the Taliban's efforts to maintain control in the country where transnational terror groups still maintain presence, posing a security risk to not only Afghanistan but also to countries in the neighbourhood and beyond. The Taliban have to eliminate these groups as per their commitment in the Doha Agreement to secure Afghanistan as well as the world.

The Taliban, which is not a monolithic entity, is also struggling with internal divisions. There is said to be a perpetual tug of war between the Haqqani and the Kandahari factions, as both aim to further consolidate their power and influence. Such internal dynamics pose a risk to the regime and lessen its cohesiveness. The Taliban must confront threats from transnational groups, including ISKP, and heal internal schisms that prevent them from fully asserting control over the nation. Failing to do so will imperil their rule and erode their efforts for global legitimacy.