UNITED NATIONS – A senior UN official has raised alarms about the increasing strength of the Daesh’s Khorasan branch, commonly known as ISIS-K, which he described as a significant threat capable of launching attacks beyond Afghanistan.
The group, which has become “the greatest external terrorist threat” to Europe, is intensifying its efforts to recruit and enhance capabilities, he said.
Speaking to the UN Security Council on Thursday, Vladimir Voronkov, the UN under secretary-general for counterterrorism, highlighted two alarming trends that have materialized since his last briefing six months ago.
THREAT TO EUROPE
“Unfortunately, two of the threats we have been monitoring have now manifested,” Voronkov said.
The first of these threats, he highlighted, is ISIS-K’s capability to carry out terrorist attacks abroad. He specifically referenced the deadly attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow in March, which claimed 145 lives.
Voronkov stressed that over the past six months, the group has “enhanced its financial and logistical capacities, partly by leveraging support from the Afghan and Central Asian diaspora,” and has “stepped up its recruitment efforts”.
This escalating threat has raised fears across Europe, where ISIS-K is now considered the most significant external terrorist risk.
In an earlier report, the UN had shared these concerns. It was published before the Euro 2024 and the ongoing Paris Olympics.
AFGHANISTAN A TERRORISM BREEDING GROUND
Voronkov urged the UN member states to take a unified action to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a hub for terrorist activities with global consequences. “Afghanistan mustn’t once again become a breeding ground for terrorism,” he stated.
In addition to the escalating threat from ISIS-K, Voronkov warned of a resurgence of the central structure of ISIS in the Middle East. The group has claimed responsibility for attacks carried out by its Afghan branch, using these incidents as part of a broader propaganda campaign. He also noted an uptick in ISIS’s operational activities in Syria.
The resurgence of ISIS-K in Afghanistan has emerged as a significant concern for regional security and stability. Originally established in 2015, ISIS-K quickly became one of the most violent and radical offshoots of the broader movement. Despite suffering severe setbacks due to military operations by Afghan and US forces, the group has shown a troubling ability to regroup and expand its influence.
ATTRACTING TALIBAN MEMBERS
The terrorist group has been able to draw support from disillusioned elements within Afghanistan, including those from the Taliban who are frustrated with the current leadership.
Additionally, ISIS-K has successfully leveraged financial and logistical support from the Afghan and Central Asian diaspora, allowing it to strengthen its presence in the region.
This resurgence poses a multifaceted threat to regional stability. Within Afghanistan, the growing power of ISIS-K challenges the Taliban’s authority and risks plunging the country into further violence and instability. For neighboring countries, particularly in Central Asia, the threat of cross-border terrorism looms large, with potential spillover effects that could destabilize entire regions.
Arshad Mehmood is a conflict zone journalist with extensive experience covering the US-led invasion of Afghanistan. Associated with a prestigious American news agency, The Media Line USA. He is a highly experienced journalist with a proven track record of covering inland and across-the-border terrorism and counter-terrorism narratives and incidents. (https://themedialine.org/) Most of his news stories published in The Media Line are also featured on JPost.com, a major media outlet in the Middle East. He can be reached via @RajaAajtv on social media.