Taliban's action against Daesh (IS) insufficient as terror attacks mount

New Delhi: In recent developments, the Islamic State (IS) or Daesh has emerged as a formidable threat in Afghanistan, claiming responsibility for several major terrorist attacks.

These attacks included the killing of the acting governor of Badakhshan, the assassination of pro-government religious scholars, and a mosque blast in Faizabad, at a funeral prayer resulting in the death of a former Taliban chief of police from Baghlan, Mawlawi Safiullah Samim and some dozen other worshippers.

Despite the Taliban's claims of eliminating numerous Daesh terrorists, experts observing the situation in Afghanistan believe that the ruling government of the Taliban has failed to contain the expansion of Daesh or IS.

One analyst expressed in a tweet, "The Taliban are now facing the same threat they imposed on the previous Afghan government over the past two decades."

Another Afghan analyst tweeted that the Taliban are now being targeted using the same tactics they experienced during the 20-year conflict with NATO, the United States, and the Afghan National Security Forces.

Reports indicate that under the Taliban regime, IS has strengthened its presence, attracting disenchanted Taliban dissidents and other extremist groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

India has repeatedly warned at international meetings that Afghanistan, under Taliban rule, is becoming a safe haven for radical terrorists.

Analysts cite two main reasons for this trend:  First, the declining access to education, particularly for women, has limited opportunities for the youth. Additionally, the country's struggling economy and increasing hunger index have left many young individuals with no alternative but to join radical and religious militant groups.

This culture of radicalization among the youth, coupled with the glorification of weapon ownership, is further fuelling the spread of extremism in the country.

Amidst these developments, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently met with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Other than the strained relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia, the discussions also focused on the growing influence of IS in Afghanistan and other parts of the world.

The US has already warned the Taliban leadership about the need to take appropriate steps to counter the terrorist threat. The Al-Siddiq office in Afghanistan has played a critical role in facilitating IS expansion.

Speaking at a press conference, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud emphasized the urgency of addressing the situation in Afghanistan to prevent it from becoming a safe haven for terrorist groups again.

Secretary of State Blinken echoed these sentiments, stating that the US remains committed to preventing the resurgence of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and is willing to take action if necessary.

He also highlighted the success of recent US operations in eliminating senior al-Qaida leaders residing in Afghanistan and emphasized the importance of working with partners and neighbouring countries to strengthen counterterrorism capabilities.

In response to concerns raised by the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh, the Taliban's spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, downplayed the threat of IS in Afghanistan, claiming that the group is being eliminated, said the Tolo News of Afghanistan.

However, US officials tracking Islamic State express apprehension about the strengthening control of the group's core leadership over its global network of affiliates, despite suffering some losses.

The Global Terrorism Index 2023, which does not include acts committed by state actors, reports that Afghanistan remains the country most impacted by terrorism for the fourth consecutive year. Although attacks and deaths have declined significantly, the rise of IS presents a new challenge. The report identifies IS and its affiliates, followed by al-Shabaab, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), as the deadliest.