Media: Taliban leadership split into three opposing camps

The leadership of the radical Taliban movement, which seized power in Afghanistan, has split into three conflicting camps. Afghanistan International TV channel said, citing sources in the ranks of the radicals, Report informs referring to TASS.

The first group is led by the Taliban-appointed Deputy Chairman of the Interim Afghan Cabinet, Abdul Ghani Baradar. He and his supporters are in favor of continuing the peace process and negotiations with the United States.

The second wing is a paramilitary offshoot of the Taliban, led by Mullah Yaqoob, who serves as head of the Defense Ministry in the interim Afghan government, son of the first Taliban leader, Mullah Omar (1960-2013).

The third wing is represented by the Haqqani Network affiliated with the Taliban, known largely due to the numerous terrorist attacks in Afghanistan. This group of radicals is led by Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Afghan interior minister, who leads an extremely closed lifestyle. Haqqani recently told Al Jazeera in Qatar that the Taliban will continue to pose a threat to the United States until Washington recognizes the government formed by the radical movement. However, he later refuted his statement, pointing out that his words were misinterpreted.

Last September, the Afghan media reported on a conflict between Baradar and other prominent Taliban figures over the question of the composition of the government.