UN Warns Terrorist Threat From Afghanistan Remains Persistent

A United Nations Security Council monitoring team has warned that terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan continue to pose a persistent threat to the country’s neighbours and Central Asia, despite Taliban operations against Islamic State-Khorasan. The Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, which tracks threats linked to ISIL, al-Qaeda and associated groups, has reported that the regional terrorist threat remains complex and adaptable. The team’s mandate includes assessing the changing threat posed by terrorist groups in Afghanistan and beyond. According to the latest findings cited in the report, Taliban operations have inflicted significant losses on ISIL-K, but have not eliminated the group. ISIL-K attacks inside Afghanistan have declined, while its activity in Pakistan has increased, suggesting that the group has adapted to counter-terrorism pressure. The report also raises concerns over the continued presence of Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan. It says the group has been given greater freedom and support by the Taliban, contributing to an increase in attacks against Pakistan. The United Nations previously estimated that TTP had around 6,000 fighters. The findings are significant for relations between Kabul and Islamabad, which have deteriorated sharply over accusations that Afghaninstan territory is being used by militants to launch attacks against Pakistan. The Taliban have repeatedly denied allowing Afghanistan soil to be used against other countries. The monitoring team also says al-Qaeda’s status and strength in Afghanistan remain broadly unchanged, while the group continues to provide training and advice to other militant organisations, particularly TTP. The report’s assessment is consistent with earlier UN findings that more than 20 international and regional terrorist organisations remained active in Afghanistan, including al-Qaeda, TTP, ISIL-K, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. The United Nations has also expressed concern about the potential for terrorist activity in Afghanistan to spill across borders. In February, the Security Council’s monitoring team said regional countries remained concerned about the number of terrorist groups in Afghanistan and their cross-border effects, while noting that the Taliban’s claim that no terrorist groups operate inside the country was not supported by member states. The concerns have also featured in recent Security Council discussions on Afghanistan. In June, Pakistan told the Council that groups including TTP, the Balochistan Liberation Army, ISIL-K and al-Qaeda were operating from Afghanistan and carrying out cross-border attacks. The United Nations has continued to call for stronger counter-terrorism cooperation and greater efforts to prevent Afghan territory from being used to threaten other countries. The Security Council extended the monitoring team’s mandate until February 2027 earlier this year. The post UN Warns Terrorist Threat From Afghanistan Remains Persistent appeared first on Khaama Press.