Reports indicate that Afghanistan, under Taliban control, has become a sanctuary for terrorist groups. The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) asserts that Afghanistan serves as the “main base” for ISIS Khorasan (IS-K). Analysts from the USIP have affirmed that ISIS Khorasan (IS-K) showcased its global striking capability by targeting Moscow. Additionally, a former commander of US Central Command has warned that ISIS is poised to launch attacks on US and Western interests within the next six months without prior notice. These concerns have intensified following ISIS Khorasan’s (IS-K) claim of responsibility for a deadly attack in Russia, resulting in 143 casualties. The Taliban have disregarded worries about ISIS threats in Afghanistan as Western propaganda against their regime. In a recent development, a Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs of the group, during a meeting with foreign diplomats in Kabul, denied the presence of ISIS in Afghanistan. Earlier, Taliban-affiliated media had asserted that the ISIS Khorasan (IS-K) base is situated in Balochistan, Pakistan.
Following the deadly ISIS Khorasan (IS-K) attack on a concert hall in Moscow and another attack in Kandahar Province, concerns about the increasing threats posed by ISIS have intensified worldwide. After the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, many critics of the group have claimed that Afghanistan has become a hotbed of terrorism in the world. According to their statements, the Taliban have extensively hosted al-Qaeda and other insurgent groups.
In the latest development, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has claimed that the primary base of ISIS Khorasan (IS-K) in Afghanistan is under Taliban control. Asfandyar Mir, a senior analyst at the institute, stated that ISIS, by attacking Moscow, has demonstrated its capability to strike anywhere in the world. According to him, the group’s attacks indicate its growing capacity to spread terror beyond its territorial presence.
Mr. Mir added: “ISIS Khorasan, the Afghanistan branch of this group in the Middle East, emerged in early 2015 and has been active in the region ever since.” He emphasized that the Khorasan Province branch of ISIS has been “highly sustainable” and has now expanded its reach to parts of Europe after attacks on regional countries.
Meanwhile, General Kenneth McKenzie, former head of the United States Central Command, has warned that ISIS Khorasan (IS-K) is intensely aiming to target the United States. McKenzie added that ISIS is keen on attacking the United States, and the Biden administration must take these threats seriously. This former US military official, referring to the recent ISIS attack on Moscow, emphasized: “We should expect more efforts of this kind of attack against the United States and its allies. I think this is inevitable.” He added that ISIS uses online methods to organize its attacks, posing a threat to global security in the future. Mr. McKenzie expressed concern about ISIS presence in Afghanistan, stating: “If 2,500 US troops alongside other NATO members remained in Afghanistan, they could have fought ISIS, and we would have been safer than we are now.”
On the other hand, retired US Army General Mark Quantock has warned of ISIS’s inclination to attack the United States. He stated that America remains ISIS’s number one target. American experts have also cautioned that ISIS Khorasan (IS-K) has become audacious and is pursuing goals beyond the region. According to them, ISIS could exploit any border turmoil between the United States and Mexico for a major attack.
Following growing concerns over ISIS Khorasan (IS-K) attacks, the Financial Times has reported Afghanistan’s return as a predictable breeding ground for contemporary religious-based terrorism. The newspaper emphasized that history seems to be repeating itself entirely. According to the newspaper, the old sanctuary of global terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda and ISIS, has transformed into a new haven for these groups in Afghanistan.
Former US officials portray Afghanistan under Taliban rule as the primary base of ISIS Khorasan (IS-K), while a Taliban-affiliated media claims that Balochistan Province of Pakistan, is a significant hub for this group.
Al Mirsaad, a Taliban-affiliated media outlet, claimed after an ISIS attacker’s assault in Kandahar that he had joined ISIS Khorasan (IS-K) in Balochistan, Pakistan, two months before the attack and received ideological training there. This media outlet, citing its sources, claims that the Balochistan Province of Pakistan is now a major center for ISIS Khorasan (IS-K).
The Taliban have always had conflicting statements regarding ISIS’s presence in Afghanistan. While the group’s spokespersons have denied ISIS’s presence in Afghanistan in recent years, they have also spoken of their fight against this group. Despite the contradictory statements, the Taliban have claimed to have effectively fought against ISIS in Afghanistan and eradicated the group. Recently, Abdul Salam Hanafi, Second Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs of the Taliban, claimed in a meeting with foreign diplomats in Kabul that there is no such thing as ISIS in Afghanistan, while, due to fear of this group, they have routinely interrogated civilian homes and imprisoned dozens on charges of collaborating with ISIS.
Amid escalating threats from ISIS in Afghanistan, Russia, despite the recent attack that claimed innocent lives, is considering removing the Taliban from its list of terrorist groups.
Russia’s TASS news agency, based on a statement from the country’s Foreign Ministry, reported that the removal of the Taliban from the terrorist group status by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, and other relevant agencies is under consideration, and the final decision in this regard will be made by the country’s top political leadership.
The Taliban, in response, have praised this move by Russia. Zabihullah Mujahid, the group’s spokesperson, stated that the removal of the Taliban from Russia’s list of terrorist organizations is “a good and realistic step.” He claimed that the group is a movement representing the people of Afghanistan.
However, many citizens and political activists argue against using terrorism as a tool in the region. According to them, the Taliban are a terrorist organization, and the narrative of their fight against ISIS has failed, and now they are focused on securing themselves. They say that the intensified attacks by ISIS have shattered the Taliban’s grand narrative of fighting ISIS inside and outside Afghanistan. According to them, the Taliban are deeply afraid of ISIS attacks and are now focused on securing themselves.
