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COMMANDER // b. 1967

Hibatullah Akhundzada

commander-in-chiefAfghanistanTaliban4 battles2 wars

Lifespan

1967 – c. 2026

197019801990200020102020Syrian Civil War · 2011Afghanistan War · 2001–2021 major U.S. war periodWar against the Islamic State — June 13, 2014 · CJTF–OIR · Syrian Civil War2020–2021 U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan — February 29, 2020 · Taliban · Afghanistan War2021 Taliban offensive — January 1, 2021 · Taliban · Afghanistan WarKabul Endgame — Aug 2021 · Taliban · Afghanistan War

Active service 2014–2021 — 4 battles across 2 wars; first command at age 47.

Profile

Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, also alternatively spelled as Haibatullah Akhunzada, is an Afghan cleric who is the supreme leader of Afghanistan under the Taliban government. He has led the Taliban since 2016, and came to power with its victory over U.S.-backed forces in the 2001–2021 war. A highly reclusive figure, he has almost no digital footprint except for two photographs and several audio recordings of speeches.

Source · Wikipedia · Q24237654

Battles (4)

Last verified June 2026
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