Hibatullah’s Special Army in Seven Provinces; Local Sources Reveal Taliban Leader’s Plan to Suppress Rivals.
In a move indicating increasing centralization of power within the Taliban, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the group’s leader, has accelerated the creation of a large military force directly loyal to him across Afghanistan.
According to reports, 7,000 new troops are to be stationed in seven key provinces, operating exclusively under the Taliban leadership office in Kandahar.
Previously, the Taliban leader had special protective units and a network of elite forces under his direct command; the current initiative seeks to expand this structure to the provincial level. Reports, confirmed by Haji Yousuf Wafa’s office, state that these troops will be organized into thousand-member units in seven zones and directed by governors loyal to the Taliban leader.
Local sources note that these forces will operate outside the conventional Taliban army, police, and intelligence frameworks, reporting solely to the leadership office. This parallel structure could serve as a direct tool to enforce leadership orders and tighten security control in key areas.
One primary goal, according to local sources, is to curb internal rivalries and prevent potential mobilization by competing factions, including networks close to Sirajuddin Haqqani. Establishing this independent force may also facilitate intensified security oversight and increased pressure on opponents.
These developments occur while the country continues to face severe economic and livelihood crises; nonetheless, expanding forces loyal to the Taliban leader remains a top leadership priority.
