UN Report: ISIS-K Poses Regional Threat from Afghanistan with 2,000 Fighters

UN Report: ISIS-K Poses Regional Threat from Afghanistan with 2,000 Fighters
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ISIS, with an estimated 2,000 fighters in Afghanistan, poses a significant threat to regional stability and security, according to a report from ABNA24 citing the UN Security Council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team.

The report highlights an increased threat from international terrorist groups, particularly ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), operating within Afghanistan. The group is noted to be concentrating its activities in Afghanistan and border areas of Pakistan. Furthermore, ISIS-K is actively recruiting individuals from Central Asian countries, Russia’s North Caucasus region, and even disaffected fighters from other extremist factions.

Concerns are also raised about the group establishing religious schools in northern Afghanistan and near the Pakistani border, reportedly for the purpose of training teenagers for suicide attacks. While Taliban authorities have reportedly achieved some success in reducing ISIS-K’s operational capabilities, the group is said to continue operating with relative freedom, partly due to general dissatisfaction with the Taliban government. ISIS-K reportedly aims to expand its activities into neighboring countries and globally. The leadership of ISIS-K is primarily composed of Afghan citizens, although many lower-ranking members are reportedly from Central Asian countries, including women believed to be wives of Central Asian fighters.