Michael Semple: Taliban Preparing for Potential Civil Conflict.
Michael Semple, former Deputy EU Special Representative for Afghanistan and a senior analyst on Afghan affairs, states that the Taliban have established special security structures to protect their leader, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, indicating preparedness for a potential internal conflict scenario.
According to Semple, the Taliban leadership perceives itself under serious threat due to unstable conditions and has taken new security measures to address any potential crisis.
He emphasizes that the Taliban are uncertain about when or from which direction they might be targeted. This concern is not limited to armed opposition fronts but also includes internal dissent and dissatisfaction.
He notes that some senior Taliban officials have publicly criticized the leadership, increasing internal mistrust within the group.
Among these challenges, opposition from the Haqqani Network toward the central Taliban leadership stands out as a significant internal problem.
Semple adds that the Taliban have attempted to conceal weapons within the protective ranks surrounding Mullah Hibatullah, reflecting the group’s deep fear of internal divisions and the potential for bloody intra-structural clashes.
