Although they continue to fight the Taliban for influence in Afghanistan, ISIS-K, the Islamic State offshoot, could target targets in the west. A US general fears new attacks before the end of the year.
Kabul/Washington – It is considered one of the most dangerous offshoots of the terrorist militia Islamic State (IS): the group ISIS K. ISIS K operates in Afghanistan, also known there as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province. with the Islamists Taliban, who took power in August 2021, ISIS K is in a deep power struggle. The competing groups fight each other. In 2022, several hundred people died in attacks by ISIS K in Afghanistan. But now US General Michael Kurilla has warned that the terrorist militia could also target Western targets.
Video: The Taliban and the Islamic State are fighting for influence in Afghanistan
“Within six months, ISIS-K can operate against U.S-American or other Western interests start abroad,” Kurilla said Thursday at a hearing in the congress. This was initially reported by the US news portal Voice of America. He fears attacks especially in Europe and Asia. The Geral estimated that it would be “much harder” for the Islamists to carry out an attack on American soil.
Top US officials on Afghan ISIS affiliates: ‘Only a matter of time before they have the capability and intent to attack the West’
With his statements, Kurilla follows the argumentation that other high-ranking US officials have previously chosen. “It is only a matter of time before they have the ability and intention to attack the West,” said Scott D. Berrier, Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier, last week.
In January, Christine Abizaid, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, said she saw evidence that ISIS K was planning to make its mark on the international stage and expand its fight beyond the borders of Afghanistan. The terrorist militia is “the threat I’m most worried about.”
Islamic State terrorist militia: 1,000 to 300 fighters are believed to be in their service in Afghanistan
Other states are also seeing signs that ISIS-K is a growing threat. As Voice of America further reports, several UN member states have received intelligence information that ISIS-K has 1,000 to 3,000 fighters. Here the news portal refers to a UN report. The jihadists have set up cells in Kunar, Nangarhar and Nuristan provinces. Smaller groups of ISIS-K fighters are believed to have settled in up to five other provinces. And the group is actively recruiting in multiple languages, from Pashto to Persian to Russian.
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It is not the first time US authorities have warned that an attack by ISIS-K fighters could become more likely in the West. In October 2021, senior Pentagon official Colin Kahl warned that the US feared an attack by the Islamic State offshoot within six months. Shortly before, the militia had carried out several assassinations in Afghanistan. Among other things, they had attacked mosques and attacked Kabul airport with rockets.
After the Taliban took power in August 2021, attacks in Afghanistan increased
After the Taliban took power again in August 2021, attacks in Afghanistan have again assumed dramatic proportions. In autumn 2021, Kahl had therefore also warned that the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda would regain strength. In “a year or two” it is possible that al-Qaeda will carry out attacks outside of Afghanistan again.
These predictions have not yet come true. And until just a few months ago, most US officials agreed that ISIS’s Afghan affiliate had shown few signs that it might strike outside the region.
However, since the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, it has been difficult to collect intelligence information about developments in Afghanistan. Because you are no longer present in the country, “our options are limited there,” Kurilla also admitted on Thursday before the congress.
US General Kurilla: He is also concerned about the activities of IS fighters in Syria and Iraq
Meanwhile, Kurilla also expressed concerns about possible activities by the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. The fighters in the region are “significantly weakened but are still able to launch operations,” Kurilla said. The militia would also continue to want to strike outside of Syria and Iraq. The general was very worried about the 10,000 IS fighters who would be in prison in north-eastern Syria. (kb)
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