Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan: don't listen to Western threats

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, the Taliban's self-designation for the country) is not concerned about any threats from either the West or the East, IEA Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada said, Ariana News reports.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for students at the Jihad School in Kandahar, Akhundzada stressed that Muslims should not listen to Western warnings.

Akhundzada's comments come after International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan said last week that he would seek arrest warrants for IEA leaders for "persecuting women and girls." However, the Islamic Emirate has strongly condemned the allegations, saying they are "baseless" and politically motivated.