Afghanistan: ISIS terrorist attacks in two years of Taliban rule leaves more than 400 people killed
In the two years since the Taliban took over power in Afghanistan, ISIS group’s Khorasan branch, ISIS-K, has conducted at least 16 major attacks in various parts of the country, resulting in 427 deaths and 673 injuries, a local outlet has reported.
The Afghan-based news agency Amu published an article today to highlight its findings on the horrible terrorist attacks mainly affecting the Shia community in Afghanistan.
According to the report, the attacks predominantly targeted the Hazara and Shia communities in Afghanistan, with nine specific incidents. The remaining involved general targets and assassinations of senior local Taliban officials.
It says that United Nations data from Aug. 15, 2021, the day the Taliban seized power, to Feb. 15, 2022, show 1,153 civilians were killed or injured in ISIS attacks in Afghanistan, mainly Shiites and Hazaras.
The Taliban claim ISIS has been nearly eradicated in Afghanistan. However, the ongoing ISIS threat and its objectives in the country remain a concern, the article added.
Since its establishment in Afghanistan in 2014, ISIS-K’s threat level has varied significantly. Despite the Taliban’s repeated assertions of neutralizing ISIS, the group has conducted 16 attacks in the past two years, nine specifically targeting the Hazara and Shia populations, including attacks on mosques.
According to Amu findings, main ISIS attacks against the Hazara and Shia community has left 221 dead and 473 injured between September 2022 and November 2023.
“Recent suicide attacks in mosques across several provinces, claimed by ISIS, almost amount to genocide against specific groups [Hazara people],” a Kabul resident said, adding that the Taliban’s denial of ISIS’s existence contradicts their security concerns.
ISIS has also targeted public figures and locations, including attack on Balkh’s Tabian cultural center and journalists, and the attack on Kabul’s Chinese hotel, which have killed dozens and wounded even more.
According to the United Nations Secretary General’s 17th report, 4,000 to 6,000 ISIS fighters and their families are in Afghanistan, posing a significant regional and global security threat.
