Taliban ‘resolve splits’ over successor

A dispute that threatened to split the Afghan Taliban has been resolved after relatives of late leader Mullah Omar backed his successor, the group says. A spokesman told the BBC that Omar’s eldest son and brother swore allegiance to Mullah Akhtar Mansour on Tuesday – and the movement was now united. The move consolidates the […]

A dispute that threatened to split the Afghan Taliban has been resolved after relatives of late leader Mullah Omar backed his successor, the group says.
A spokesman told the BBC that Omar’s eldest son and brother swore allegiance to Mullah Akhtar Mansour on Tuesday – and the movement was now united.
The move consolidates the new leader’s place after weeks of uncertainty.
His swift appointment had angered some Taliban leaders after the group’s founder’s death was confirmed in July.
Mullah Omar’s family and a number of senior figures were against his successor and splits emerged into the open.
Mullah Omar’s son and brother – Mullah Yaqoub and Mullah Manan – have little military power but their support is symbolically significant. He says Mullah Mansour’s leadership now seems accepted by most Taliban.