Tweet
The Afghan Taliban have announced a new leader to replace Mullah Akhtar Mansour who was killed in a US drone strike.
In a statement, the Taliban acknowledged Mansour's death for the first time and named his successor as Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada.
Analysts say it is unlikely the group will change direction under hardline religious scholar Akhundzada.
Last year the Taliban were plunged into turmoil when Mansour replaced the group's founder Mullah Mohammad Omar.
Mansour was killed in a strike on his car in Pakistan's Balochistan province on Saturday.
Under his stewardship, the Taliban refused to take part in peace talks. Instead, militant attacks escalated and became more daring.
Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, a former head of the Taliban courts, was a deputy leader to Mansour.
Profile: New Taliban chief Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada
The trail of clues after Taliban leader's death
Analysis: Waheed Massoud, editor, BBC Afghan service, Kabul
It doesn't look as if there will be a major shift in the Taliban's approach to peace talks under the new leadership. Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada was deputy to Mullah Mansour and held senior positions under the movement's founder Mullah Omar.
He comes from Kandahar in the Taliban heartlands of southern Afghanistan and seems to have been an acceptable choice for a significant number of Taliban shura (council) members.
The new leader is not as controversial as his predecessor, who led the militants for two years before news emerged that Mullah Omar was actually dead.
A Taliban statement said the new appointment had been unanimous, the same word the Taliban used when Mullah Mansour took over. Splits soon emerged after that - this time there could still be some disagreements, but probably not enough to challenge the new leader's authority.
"Hibatullah Akhundzada has been appointed as the new leader of the Islamic Emirate (Taliban) after a unanimous agreement in the shura (supreme council), and all the members of shura pledged allegiance to him," the Taliban said in a statement.
It also said that Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, son of Mullah Omar, would become a joint deputy head of the movement, alongside current deputy leader Sirajuddin Haqqani.
Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is much more well known, is leader of the Haqqani network which has been blamed for some of the most violent attacks inside Afghanistan.
The group is known for its daring raids on Western and Afghan targets, particularly in Kabul.
Mansour named Akhundzada as his successor in his will, Taliban sources told AFP, in what may be an attempt to legitimise the transition.
A spokesman for Afghanistan's chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, urged the new Taliban leader to join talks.
"We invite Mula Hibatullah to peace. Political settlement is the only option for the Taliban or new leadership will face the fate of Mansour," Javid Faisal tweeted.
Image copyright FBI Image caption The US has set a bounty on the head of Sirajuddin Haqqani In 2015 the Taliban was deeply divided over the selection of Mullah Mansour as the new leader.
But the BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Kabul says the appointment of Akhundzada appears to be uncontroversial. The fact that he comes from the traditional Taliban stronghold of Kandahar is likely to please rank-and-file fighters.
Separately on Wednesday, 10 people were killed and four injured in a suicide attack that hit a bus carrying court employees in Kabul, government officials told the BBC.
What we know about Hibatullah Akhundzada
Share this story About sharing
Taliban conflict
Asia
Anger over Tsai 'erratic and single' article
Full article Anger over Tsai 'erratic and single' article
Australia MP is 'Depp's Hannibal Lecter'
Full article Australia MP is 'Depp's Hannibal Lecter'
Malaysian teen has parasitic twin removed
Full article Malaysian teen has parasitic twin removed
More Videos from the BBC
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-0 ob-o"> Three-storey building's dramatic collapse in China <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o"> New image shows Mars nearing Earth <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-o"> The view from a border guard on the US-Mexican border <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o"> Family 'unaware NHS doctor was joining IS' <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-5 ob-o">
Recommended by Outbrain
Elsewhere on BBC
Recommended by Outbrain
You Might Also Like
Top Stories
Afghan Taliban announce new leader The Afghan Taliban name Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada as their new leader following the death of Mullah Mansour in a drone strike.
3 hours ago
Protests turn violent at Trump rally 3 hours ago
Yellowstone in 1871 and today 25 May 2016
Advertisement
Features & Analysis
Omar's Journey
One Syrian boy's flight from war - in his own words and pictures
Blue genes
What is the chance of catching a bright blue lobster?
Park life
Stunning photos of Yellowstone beauty spots in 1871 and today
Poo attack
Why is the India's Taj Mahal turning green?
Mystery men
Taliban chief left false name after death and lots of unanswered questions
Catty remark
Chechen leader not impressed by missing cat mocking
Video 1:50
'I'm frightened'
Gordon Brown's nemesis on Britain's big EU vote
Video 4:12
Saving Ethiopia's Jews
How Israel flew 14,000 people to safety in two days
Predators in pink
Can a colour change draw more female hunters?
Most Popular popular
Most read
From Around the Web
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-0 ob-p"> The Once Mighty Humvee Dethroned as Military Go-To… Digital Trends <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-p"> Here's Everything Leaving Netflix In May Refinery29 <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-p"> The Spouses of These Famous People Will Leave… BreakVille <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-p"> 50 Rare Photos From History They Didn't Want You… DailySpoonFeed <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-p"> No one can fly this plane. And that's a good thing. CNET <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-5 ob-p">
Promoted content by Outbrain
Ads by Google
In a statement, the Taliban acknowledged Mansour's death for the first time and named his successor as Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada.
Analysts say it is unlikely the group will change direction under hardline religious scholar Akhundzada.
Last year the Taliban were plunged into turmoil when Mansour replaced the group's founder Mullah Mohammad Omar.
Mansour was killed in a strike on his car in Pakistan's Balochistan province on Saturday.
Under his stewardship, the Taliban refused to take part in peace talks. Instead, militant attacks escalated and became more daring.
Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, a former head of the Taliban courts, was a deputy leader to Mansour.
Profile: New Taliban chief Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada
The trail of clues after Taliban leader's death
Analysis: Waheed Massoud, editor, BBC Afghan service, Kabul
It doesn't look as if there will be a major shift in the Taliban's approach to peace talks under the new leadership. Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada was deputy to Mullah Mansour and held senior positions under the movement's founder Mullah Omar.
He comes from Kandahar in the Taliban heartlands of southern Afghanistan and seems to have been an acceptable choice for a significant number of Taliban shura (council) members.
The new leader is not as controversial as his predecessor, who led the militants for two years before news emerged that Mullah Omar was actually dead.
A Taliban statement said the new appointment had been unanimous, the same word the Taliban used when Mullah Mansour took over. Splits soon emerged after that - this time there could still be some disagreements, but probably not enough to challenge the new leader's authority.
"Hibatullah Akhundzada has been appointed as the new leader of the Islamic Emirate (Taliban) after a unanimous agreement in the shura (supreme council), and all the members of shura pledged allegiance to him," the Taliban said in a statement.
It also said that Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, son of Mullah Omar, would become a joint deputy head of the movement, alongside current deputy leader Sirajuddin Haqqani.
Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is much more well known, is leader of the Haqqani network which has been blamed for some of the most violent attacks inside Afghanistan.
The group is known for its daring raids on Western and Afghan targets, particularly in Kabul.
Mansour named Akhundzada as his successor in his will, Taliban sources told AFP, in what may be an attempt to legitimise the transition.
A spokesman for Afghanistan's chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, urged the new Taliban leader to join talks.
"We invite Mula Hibatullah to peace. Political settlement is the only option for the Taliban or new leadership will face the fate of Mansour," Javid Faisal tweeted.
Image copyright FBI Image caption The US has set a bounty on the head of Sirajuddin Haqqani In 2015 the Taliban was deeply divided over the selection of Mullah Mansour as the new leader.
But the BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Kabul says the appointment of Akhundzada appears to be uncontroversial. The fact that he comes from the traditional Taliban stronghold of Kandahar is likely to please rank-and-file fighters.
Separately on Wednesday, 10 people were killed and four injured in a suicide attack that hit a bus carrying court employees in Kabul, government officials told the BBC.
What we know about Hibatullah Akhundzada
- More of a religious leader than a military commander, he has been responsible for issuing most of the Taliban's fatwas
- Thought to be 55 and has lived most of his life inside Afghanistan, with little evidence of travel
- However, experts say, he maintains close links with the so-called Quetta Shura, the Afghan Taliban leaders said to be based in the Pakistani city of Quetta
- From southern Kandahar province, he belongs to the Noorzai tribe
- Hibatullah in Arabic means "gift from God"
Share this story About sharing
Taliban conflict
- Afghans confirm Taliban leader's death
22 May 2016
- What we know about Kunduz hospital bombing
25 November 2015
- The battle for the Taliban
23 September 2015
- Who are the Taliban?
29 September 2015
- Battleground Kunduz: The city the Taliban seized
29 September 2015
- Profile: Mullah Akhtar Mansour
22 May 2016
- Taliban conflict: Special report
7 October 2015
- Helmand: Life after UK withdrawal
20 July 2015
- Mullah Omar: The myth and the movement
29 July 2015
- Pakistan quiet on Mullah Omar death
30 July 2015
- Video Just who was Taliban's Mullah Omar?
30 July 2015
Asia
Anger over Tsai 'erratic and single' article
- 25 May 2016
- From the section Asia
Full article Anger over Tsai 'erratic and single' article
Australia MP is 'Depp's Hannibal Lecter'
- 25 May 2016
- From the section Australia
Full article Australia MP is 'Depp's Hannibal Lecter'
Malaysian teen has parasitic twin removed
- 25 May 2016
- From the section Asia
Full article Malaysian teen has parasitic twin removed
More Videos from the BBC
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-0 ob-o"> Three-storey building's dramatic collapse in China <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o"> New image shows Mars nearing Earth <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-o"> The view from a border guard on the US-Mexican border <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o"> Family 'unaware NHS doctor was joining IS' <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-5 ob-o">
Recommended by Outbrain
Elsewhere on BBC
Recommended by Outbrain
You Might Also Like
Top Stories
Afghan Taliban announce new leader The Afghan Taliban name Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada as their new leader following the death of Mullah Mansour in a drone strike.
3 hours ago
Protests turn violent at Trump rally 3 hours ago
Yellowstone in 1871 and today 25 May 2016
Advertisement
Features & Analysis
Omar's Journey
One Syrian boy's flight from war - in his own words and pictures
Blue genes
What is the chance of catching a bright blue lobster?
Park life
Stunning photos of Yellowstone beauty spots in 1871 and today
Poo attack
Why is the India's Taj Mahal turning green?
Mystery men
Taliban chief left false name after death and lots of unanswered questions
Catty remark
Chechen leader not impressed by missing cat mocking
Video 1:50
'I'm frightened'
Gordon Brown's nemesis on Britain's big EU vote
Video 4:12
Saving Ethiopia's Jews
How Israel flew 14,000 people to safety in two days
Predators in pink
Can a colour change draw more female hunters?
Most Popular popular
Most read
- 1 Yellowstone in 1871 and today
- 2 Florence's Arno riverbank collapses
- 3 Protests turn violent at Trump rally
- 4 Why has Trump caught Clinton in the polls?
- 5 Afghan Taliban announce new leader
- 6 Anger over Tsai 'erratic and single' article
- 7 Netflix faces quota on EU-made content
- 8 Lieberman named Israel defence minister
- 9 Why is India's Taj Mahal turning green?
- 10 Jailed Ukrainian freed in prisoner swap
From Around the Web
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-0 ob-p"> The Once Mighty Humvee Dethroned as Military Go-To… Digital Trends <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-p"> Here's Everything Leaving Netflix In May Refinery29 <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-p"> The Spouses of These Famous People Will Leave… BreakVille <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-p"> 50 Rare Photos From History They Didn't Want You… DailySpoonFeed <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-p"> No one can fly this plane. And that's a good thing. CNET <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-5 ob-p">
Promoted content by Outbrain
Ads by Google
- El Capitan running slow?
That's easy to fix. Follow these 5 steps and speed up your Mac now!
macpaw.com/CleanMyMac3 - Coffee Exposed
A shocking secret coffee co's don't want you to know
www.coffeefool.com - Are You Writing A Book?
Become A Published Author Today. Get Your Free Guide To Publishing.
www.iuniverse.com/Get-Published-Now
Comment