The United Nations Security Council, in a recent report, has deemed the Taliban’s claim that no terrorist groups are present in Afghanistan to be inaccurate.
The report, prepared by the UN Monitoring Team on Sanctions and Analytical Support and submitted to the Security Council on Wednesday, December 17, confirms the presence of terrorist groups, including Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), al-Qaeda, ISIS-K, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, Jamaat Ansarullah, the United Jihad Council of Pakistan, and other organizations.
The report states: “The ruling authorities effectively deny the presence or activity of any terrorist groups on Afghan soil. This claim is not credible.”
According to the UN assessment, al-Qaeda has maintained close ties with the Taliban and maintains a low-profile yet sustained presence in several Afghan provinces.
The report identifies TTP as the most serious threat to regional stability, noting that the group operates from safe havens in Afghanistan with support from elements within the Taliban.
It adds that TTP has carried out numerous high-level attacks from Afghan territory against Pakistan, making it a major source of tension between the Taliban and Islamabad.
The UN estimates that approximately 6,000 TTP fighters are based in Afghanistan, primarily in Khost, Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktika, and Paktia provinces.
Despite this, the Taliban have repeatedly denied the presence of terrorist groups on Afghan soil.
