China Caught in Taliban Power Struggle: Factions Clash Over Beijing's Influence in Kabul

• China's growing economic footprint in Afghanistan is fueling a power struggle between Taliban factions, particularly between Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada's Kandahar camp and the Haqqani network.
• Kandahar views China as a crucial economic and diplomatic partner, seeking continued Chinese engagement in mining, oil, and infrastructure projects for quick cash and international legitimacy.
• Bashir Noorzai, a powerful warlord and Akhundzada ally, has emerged as a key intermediary for Chinese investments in Kabul since his 2022 release.
• The Haqqani network sees Beijing's expanding role as a threat, believing Chinese funding strengthens Kandahar and disrupts the internal balance of power.
• Attacks on Chinese-linked targets, sometimes intersecting with ISKP activities, are seen as a tactic to weaken Kandahar's financial base, create uncertainty for Beijing, and force power-sharing negotiations.

Why It Matters: China's economic presence in Afghanistan has become a central point of contention, intensifying the internal power struggle within the Taliban.