UN Officials Warn of IS-K Threat to Global Security
During a Security Council meeting on Monday, United Nations counterterrorism officials expressed grave concerns over the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), an affiliate of the Islamic State operating in Afghanistan, VOA reported.
They described IS-K as one of the most dangerous branches of the transnational terrorist group, posing significant threats to regional and global security.
Vladimir Voronkov, U.N. undersecretary-general for counterterrorism, emphasized that IS-K has continued to conduct high-profile attacks against Afghan civilians and Taliban officials. He noted that IS-K supporters are plotting attacks in Europe and recruiting individuals from Central Asia. Voronkov urged member states to unite in preventing Afghanistan from becoming a hotspot for terrorism once more.
U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea echoed these concerns, labeling IS-K a substantial global threat, particularly in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Chinese envoy Fu Cong warned of active collaborations among IS-K, al-Qaida, and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement.
Russia’s U.N. ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, attributed the rise of IS-K to the rapid withdrawal of NATO troops in 2021, which left behind substantial weaponry. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s envoy Munir Akram challenged claims of IS-K recruitment in Pakistan, asserting that Afghanistan remains the primary hub for the group’s activities.
Despite Taliban claims of diminishing IS-K influence, the group continues to execute attacks, including a recent suicide bombing that killed a senior Taliban official.
