The Taliban has reshuffled its senior leadership amid threats from ISIS in Afghanistan, it was revealed today. The eldest son of the group's late founder Mullah Omar was made head of the military commission and his brother to its powerful decision-making body, a spokesman said. ISIS is believe to be bidding to take over the Afghanistan terror group's territory and disillusioned Taliban fighters are even said to be switching allegiance to ISIS as the murderous jihadists expand operations into the country. The Taliban has become increasingly divided amidst a bitter feud stemming from the death of Mullah Omar and the group hopes the reshuffle can strengthen its weakened organisation. Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob and brother Mullah Abdul Manan were both called to the Rahbari Shura or leadership council, Taliban spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi said. The appointment of two of its founder's closest relatives would appear to strengthen current Taliban leader Akhtar Mansour, who still faces opposition from some factions within the movement after taking power last year. Yaqoob, whose family name still carries great prestige among Taliban militants, was appointed head of the Taliban's military commission for 15 provinces of Afghanistan. "They accepted their new responsibilities and began their work from Monday," Ahmadi said. The announcement comes as ISIS showed signs of making inroads in Afghanistan, which a commander, who operated in Kunar province in the east of the country revealed was their main enemy. The commander, who wished to remain anonymous, told NBC News : " Daesh [ISIS] is a real threat as they are snatching our people and increasing its writ in Afghanistan." The elevation of the two men to the Rahbari Shura comes nearly seven months after they dropped their opposition to Mansour's claim on the leadership following confirmation last year that the one-eyed Mullah Omar had died some two years earlier and that his death had been covered up. "Mansour had long offered top positions and shura membership to Mullah Abdul Manan and Mullah Yaqoob, however their formal appointment was made on Monday after approval from the shura," one member of the shura said, asking not to be named. Members of Mullah Omar's family had initially claimed the leadership for Yaqoob but agreed to swear allegiance to Mansour, Mullah Omar's longtime deputy, after he agreed to a list of their demands, Taliban officials said last year. Mansour's sudden nomination as leader after some militants believed he had deceived the movement over the death of Mullah Omar caused strong resentment among some Taliban, who also said he was being controlled by Pakistan. Widespread reports last year suggested Mansour had been badly wounded in a shootout with rivals but the reports were dismissed by the Taliban, who released an audio recording it said was of Mansour to prove he was unharmed.
