Amid escalating internal divisions within the Taliban, Sirajuddin Haqqani, the group`s Interior Minister, made an unexpected visit to Kandahar on Friday. The trip comes at a time when Haqqani has recently voiced unusually sharp criticism of the Taliban`s treatment of the population, while international reports point to deepening fractures within the Taliban leadership.

According to AnsarPress, local sources in Kandahar said the primary purpose of Haqqani`s visit was to attend the funeral and condolence ceremony for the grandmother of Mullah Yaqoob, the Taliban`s Defense Minister and son of Mullah Omar, the group`s founder and former leader. Earlier, a Taliban spokesperson had announced the death of Mullah Omar Mujahid`s mother, stating that her funeral and condolence gatherings were held on Sunday and Monday of this week in Kandahar.

Videos shared by local sources show Sirajuddin Haqqani attending Friday prayers at the Ainomina Mosque in Kandahar and meeting with a number of local residents. The footage depicts worshippers welcoming him and crowds gathering around the Taliban interior minister.

The visit takes place against the backdrop of heightened internal Taliban tensions, which have become more pronounced following Haqqani`s outspoken remarks in Khost province. In that speech, he strongly criticized current policies, condemning what he described as a "government of fear and intimidation," and stated: "We, who were once condemned by the empires of the world, are now condemning and humiliating our own people."

Following these remarks, figures aligned with the Kandahar faction and Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada responded. Neda Mohammad Nadim, the Taliban`s Minister of Higher Education, warned in a speech in Kabul about rising "distrust" and "discord" within the group, stressing that the survival of the Taliban administration depends on maintaining unity. At the same time, Mullah Baradar, the Taliban`s economic deputy, and Mullah Yaqoob, the defense minister, emphasized the need for continuity and cohesion within the Taliban leadership.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council, in its latest report, stated that Hibatullah Akhundzada`s decrees are not being implemented uniformly across Afghanistan. According to the report, several powerful Taliban leaders-including members of the Haqqani Network-enjoy considerable autonomy and, in some cases, act contrary to the Taliban leader`s directives.

This is not the first time Sirajuddin Haqqani has traveled to Kandahar following criticism of Hibatullah Akhundzada. He has previously made unannounced visits to the province after issuing critical statements, underscoring the ongoing power dynamics and internal strains within the Taliban leadership.