Haibatullah Akhundzada

Haibatullah Akhundzada is the leader of the Taliban, an Islamist militant group that took control of Afghanistan in August 2021 after the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. He became the group's supreme leader in 2016, succeeding Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour. Akhundzada is known for his hardline stance on governance and strict interpretation of Islamic law. Unlike other leaders, he has remained largely out of the public eye, focusing on religious leadership rather than military operations. His leadership has raised concerns about human rights and the future of Afghan society under Taliban rule.