The Taliban has released an audio message it says is from its leader, Mullah Akhtar Mansur, to prove that he is still alive after reports he was severely wounded or killed in a shoot-out in Pakistan.
Durin the 16-minute message, the man purported to be Mansur says the reports about his condition were spread intentionally to create divisions within the Taliban.
"I am among my people. This incident never happened and it is not true. This is propaganda of the enemy," says the man in the recording.
Although it was not possible to verify the voice as being Mansur's, some senior Taliban members said it sounded like him.
The statement comes after days of uncertainty following several reports of a firefight on December 1 near Quetta involving Mansur and several other Taliban leaders in which many people are said to have been killed or wounded.
Several Taliban members and Afghan and Pakistani officials said Mansur had been seriously wounded and taken to the hospital. Some reports said he had succumbed to his injuries.
Mansur's leadership has been rejected by some factions of the Taliban who accused him of covering up Mullah Omar's death.
Related
Editors' Picks
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Ukraine's Long-Distance Drones Take Toll On Russia's Oil Business -- And War Chest
2NATO Chief Rutte Tells RFE: 'Thoughtful Dialogue' Needed On Ukraine
3Brawl Exposes Growing Anti-Chinese Sentiment In Kyrgyzstan
4Protests Erupt In Bulgaria Over Budget, Government 'Corruption'
5'Weekend Snipers' Claims Reopen Wartime Trauma In Sarajevo
6Polish PM Tusk Says Railway Explosion 'Act Of Sabotage'
7Tehran Pollution Hits 'Alarming' Level In Latest Environmental Crisis
8They Called Him 'Dr. Evil': The Russian Prison Medic Accused Of Torturing Ukrainian POWs
9How Britain’s Disposable Vape Ban Has Boosted Ukraine’s War Effort
10Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Hungarian Service Ceases Operations
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.