The Taliban’s reclusive supreme leader, Haibattullah Akhundzada, made a rare public appearance in the southern city of Kandahar, Taliban sources said on Sunday, belying widespread rumors of his death.

According to Taliban sources, Haibatullah Akhundzada met with supporters in Kandahar. There is no official information or image in the press of the meeting, but a 10-minute video recording appeared on the Taliban’s social media account. The video shows Akhundzada delivering a religious message, not a political one.

Akhundzada has been the leader of the Taliban since 2016 after his predecessor Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed in a US drone strike.

Source: VOV5