Afghanistan’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva says Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has become increasingly isolated, living under constant foreign surveillance and mounting political pressure.
Nasir Ahmad Andisha said Akhundzada strongly opposes the repeated visits to Kabul by former US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad but lacks the power to stop them. He described a situation in which foreign monitoring and diplomatic activity have left the Taliban leader feeling cornered and mistrustful.
“Drones in the sky and Khalilzad on the ground are keeping Hibatullah Akhundzada under watch,” Andisha said, adding that the Taliban leader has become almost invisible in Kandahar and no longer trusts those around him.
Afghan airspace beyond Taliban control
Andisha’s comments come amid continued reports of increased drone activity over Afghanistan. Taliban officials have repeatedly admitted that they do not have full control over the country’s airspace.
In November 2025, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid acknowledged that US drones were still flying over Afghanistan, saying such patrols have continued since the Taliban returned to power and often enter the country through neighboring states.
More recently, sources close to the Taliban said an unidentified flying object crashed on Thursday, January 1, in Maidan Wardak province. The object reportedly came down in Maidan Shahr, the provincial capital, though its origin and the cause of the crash remain unknown.
Internal fractures within the Taliban
Andisha also pointed to deepening internal divisions within the Taliban, saying recent reshuffles and dismissals suggest Akhundzada’s grip on power is weakening.
In a post on X, he said changes within the group point toward intensified internal purges, with rival factions gaining influence as the leader’s authority erodes. In recent weeks, Akhundzada has replaced multiple officials, including provincial governors, corps commanders, and other senior local authorities.
Khalilzad’s visits to Kabul
According to Andisha, Khalilzad’s repeated trips to Kabul have further unsettled the Taliban leader. While Akhundzada reportedly dislikes what Andisha called “back-to-back visits,” he is effectively unable to prevent them.
Khalilzad arrived in Kabul on December 28, 2025, where he met Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Although Khalilzad has described his travel as personal, he has previously visited Afghanistan alongside US officials to help negotiate the release of American detainees.
The US State Department has stated that Khalilzad does not represent the US government and that his visits are undertaken in a personal capacity.
Regional concerns
Andisha also referred to recent international developments, including a US operation in Venezuela, which he said has heightened anxiety among authoritarian leaders. A former Taliban envoy to Pakistan previously described the move as a warning to other governments.
According to Andisha, these factors have contributed to Akhundzada’s growing isolation, reinforcing an atmosphere of surveillance, mistrust, and internal tension at the highest levels of Taliban leadership.
