oncern has grown into a so-called subsidiary company Islamic State exist Afghanistan Isis-K, for fear that it might plan to acceptance airport.
Here, the Palestinian Authority News Agency looks at the organization and its role in Afghanistan.
Founded in 2015, Isis-K is a branch of the so-called Islamic State in the Khorasan region and historically covered some areas Iran Afghanistan and Pakistan.
It was originally composed of radicals and disgruntled people from Pakistan Taliban The members mainly operate in northern and eastern Afghanistan, close to Kabul.
A recent report by the UN Security Council showed that the number of Isis-K fighters ranged from 1,000 to 2,200, which was lower than the peak of 5,000 to 6,000 in 2016. However, due to the advancement of the Taliban, prisoners across the country were released and their troops There may be an increase in recent weeks.
– What is the relationship between Isis-K and the Taliban and Al Qaeda?
Isis-K is hostile to the Taliban due to its more extreme version of Islam, and the two groups have previously fought for control of Afghan territory.
According to reports, after the Taliban took over the country last week, the organization executed a senior commander of Isis-K who was detained in Kabul.
The conflict between the two groups means that Isis-K is unlikely to be bound by an agreement between the Taliban and Western forces to allow continued evacuation from the Kabul airport.
Similarly, the relationship between Isis-K and Al Qaeda is unlikely to be a direct cooperation, despite their similar beliefs, which reflects the broader conflict between Al Qaeda and IS on a global scale.
– What is the threat of Isis-K?
Despite reports that the number of Isis-Ks has fallen due to military operations by the United States, the Afghan army, and the Taliban, there have been many high-profile attacks in recent years.
It is believed that the organization carried out a devastating attack on a maternity hospital in Kabul in May 2020, resulting in 24 deaths, including newborns and mothers.
It also claimed responsibility for several other attacks in Kabul, including the attack on the city’s university in November last year and the rocket attack in the same month. Isis-K also claimed responsibility for the attack on Jalalabad prison in August last year.
The organization is clearly capable of carrying out deadly and complex attacks in the area, and US Secretary of State Anthony Brinken described the threat of an Isis-K attack as “very likely.”
But the former head of the British army stationed in the country said that this may not be a “main threat.”
Colonel Richard Kemp told the BBC Breakfast on Thursday morning: “The threat of terrorist attacks, whether it comes from the Taliban, Islamic State or Al Qaeda, may also come from these three groups.
“The fact that people talk about the Islamic State does not make it the most likely threat.”
