Hibatullah Akhundzada

Hibatullah Akhundzada was appointed Supreme Leader of the Taliban in 2016 after the death of Akhtar Mansour. He assumed leadership of the insurgency, guiding the Taliban's military and political strategy during the war against the Afghan government and coalition forces.

Under Hibatullah Akhundzada's leadership, the Taliban launched a major offensive in 2021, capturing Kabul on August 15. This resulted in the collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban's return to power, ending the 20-year war.

Under Hibatullah Akhundzada's leadership, the Taliban imposed severe restrictions on women's rights, including banning girls from secondary education and women from most employment. These policies drew widespread international condemnation.

Hibatullah Akhundzada issued a decree banning the cultivation of opium poppies in Afghanistan. The ban aimed to reduce drug production, but it devastated the rural economy, as poppy farming was a major source of income for many farmers.