The Taliban’s hosting of terrorist groups and armed opposition factions from neighboring and regional countries has angered even its regional allies. China and Pakistan, two of the Taliban’s key allies, have expressed concern over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, warning about the security threats these groups pose to both nations. China’s special representative recently stated that over 20 terrorist groups are operating within Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Pakistani media reported that Pakistan has shared evidence of the presence of terrorist groups, including Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), with China’s special envoy.
Experts argue that the Taliban are seen as part of the U.S.’s sphere of influence and have attempted to play a multilateral game over the past three years, but have failed to manage such complexity. Analysts believe the Taliban’s actions have frustrated and disappointed neighboring countries and key allies. Now, following Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election, these nations are hesitant to engage in Afghanistan’s affairs alongside the U.S. They emphasize that the Taliban are neither a reliable partner nor ally for any country and must adopt clear anti-terrorism policies instead of appeasing terrorism.
Since their takeover of Afghanistan, the Taliban have repeatedly claimed to have severed ties with other terrorist groups. However, they have continued to host groups like al-Qaeda within Afghanistan. Many fighters from regional terrorist groups are now integrated into the Taliban’s ranks. According to UN Security Council reports, some al-Qaeda members hold key positions within the Taliban, including provincial, ministerial, and intelligence roles.
Yue Xiaoyong, China’s special envoy for Afghanistan, has expressed concern about the presence of “more than 20 terrorist groups” in Afghanistan, warning that this situation poses a serious threat to the security of China and other regional countries. In an interview with the Beijing Club for International Dialogue, he noted that before the U.S. presence in Afghanistan, only one or two terrorist groups were active there. Now, more than 20 groups are operational.
Although Yue did not name specific terrorist groups, China has consistently voiced concern about the links between the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and Uyghur separatists in Xinjiang with the Taliban. Reports, including those from the Hasht-e Subh Daily, indicate that prominent ETIM commanders, such as Abdul Haq al-Turkistani, the leader of the movement and a senior al-Qaeda member, are present in Afghanistan. Haji Furqan, an ETIM military commander, is reportedly a special guest of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s Minister of Interior. Previously, Furqan resided in Fayzabad, the capital of Badakhshan province, and Pul-e-Khumri, the capital of Baghlan province.
Yue emphasized that China does not seek to exert influence or control in Afghanistan but stressed the importance of a peaceful, stable Afghanistan governed by “moderate and inclusive” leadership. This comes as some U.S. officials have raised concerns about China’s growing influence in Afghanistan over the past three years. Donald Trump, the U.S. president-elect, has repeatedly claimed that the Bagram Airbase, which served as a U.S. military command center for 20 years, is now under Chinese control.
Dr. Zakir Hussain Ershad, a professor at the University of Bucharest in Romania and head of the Afghanistan Citizens’ Party, argued that China’s statements regarding terrorist groups in Afghanistan are multifaceted. He said that countries that were once strategic allies of the Taliban are now disillusioned with the group’s actions and policies. According to Ershad, the Taliban’s multidirectional strategies have prompted their allies to reassess their positions toward the group.
Ershad emphasized that the Taliban are neither trustworthy collaborators nor dependable allies for any nation. Despite their interest in multilateral strategies, they have been unable to manage such complexities. As a result, the Taliban’s strategic allies are adopting new perspectives and policies regarding the group. He also noted that the Taliban’s reign is unsustainable due to their disregard for public will and diminishing support from foreign countries and influential powers.
Meanwhile, Pakistan, a longstanding ally of the Taliban, has repeatedly complained about the presence of TTP and the use of Afghan territory to threaten Pakistan. Islamabad has warned the Taliban to take its concerns seriously and not test Pakistan’s patience further.
The Express Tribune, a Pakistani news outlet, reported that Pakistan shared its evidence with China’s special envoy during his visit to Islamabad on Monday. The media outlet cited sources claiming that Pakistan briefed the envoy on the situation in Afghanistan and how terrorist groups, including TTP, are using Afghan territory against neighboring countries. The envoy was informed that despite repeated requests from Pakistan and the international community, the Taliban have not done enough to curb these groups’ activities.
Pakistani officials also told the Chinese representative that the time has come to adopt a collective stance against the Taliban to compel them to fulfill their commitments to the international community. According to Pakistani media, China has previously attempted to mediate between Pakistan and the Taliban regime regarding TTP, but these efforts have been unsuccessful.
The Express Tribune added that Pakistan was initially pleased with the Taliban’s takeover, believing they would prevent Afghan territory from being used against Pakistan. Contrary to these expectations, TTP and other terrorist groups have grown bolder under Taliban rule.
Afrasiab Khattak, a Pakistani political activist and regional expert, stated in an interview with the Hasht-e Subh Daily that the Doha Agreement between the U.S. and the Taliban, along with the overthrow of Afghanistan’s Republic, was aimed at turning the country into a “terrorist hub” to destabilize the region. He argued that this objective is now being realized.
Khattak questioned whether regional countries are genuinely surprised by the surge in terrorism following Afghanistan’s Talibanization and whether they were unaware of the implications of empowering the Taliban. He called on South Asian nations to replace their appeasement of terrorism with clear counterterrorism policies to address regional instability effectively.
Sardar Mohammad Rahimi, a regional affairs expert, argued that Afghanistan’s neighbors have never viewed the Taliban strategically but have been compelled by geography to maintain ties with the group. According to Rahimi, these countries’ experiences with the Taliban have shown that they cannot trust the group domestically or regionally.
Rahimi also stated that the Taliban remain within the sphere of influence of the United States. He explained that the weekly aid from the United States to Afghanistan holds clear significance for neighboring countries, as it aligns with the geopolitical goals and influence of the U.S. in South Asia. He emphasized that if this analysis is accurate, China’s concerns about the Taliban will intensify daily. Rahimi continued, “What is happening in Afghanistan is part of a larger project, and Afghanistan is awaiting the moment when the expansion of terrorist groups will create an opportunity to directly involve China, Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asia.”
This regional affairs expert also noted that with Donald Trump’s victory as the U.S. president-elect and his direct strategy on regional issues, China, Iran, and other countries are reluctant to engage with the U.S. on Afghanistan. According to Rahimi, this situation will cause neighboring countries to gradually distance themselves from Afghanistan and approach their interactions with greater caution. He clarified that Afghanistan’s situation, under Trump’s presidency, will enter a new phase, creating opportunities for the opposition while increasing pressure on the Taliban to pursue more regional objectives. China, he believes, will intensify its dissatisfaction.
Despite promises made during peace talks with the U.S. to sever ties with al-Qaeda, the Taliban allowed Ayman al-Zawahiri, al-Qaeda’s former leader, to return to Kabul, where he was eventually killed in a U.S. drone strike. This action highlights the Taliban’s lack of commitment to breaking ties with regional and global terrorist groups, with whom they have collaborated for over two decades in their fight against Afghanistan’s former government and foreign forces.
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