Anatoly Sidorov, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has announced that the ISIS fighters in Afghanistan reach 6500, out of which 4000 ISIS-Khorasan fighters are believed to be stationed near the Tajikistan border.
Mr. Sidorov stated that ISIS-K militants are mostly stationed in northern Badakhshan, Kunduz, and Takhar provinces. Prior to this, United Nations officials had revealed in a fresh report that several thousand ISIS militants are operating in Afghanistan. Sidorov believes that militant group poses threats to the security of Central and South Asia.
However, the Islamic Emirate officials repeatedly denied such claims and say that Taliban security personnel target ISIS fighters and would not allow them to grow in numbers in the country. Herewith, the Taliban officials report on carrying out separate operations on ISIS fighters across Afghanistan.
Since the return of the Taliban to power, ISIS militants have carried out brutal attacks in Kabul and other provinces of Afghanistan, claiming the lives of scores of innocent civilians and foreign diplomats.
Meanwhile, Tajikistan which shares a border with Afghanistan has experienced rocket attacks from the militant group over the past year.
Emomali Rahmon, the President of Tajikistan whose country is a permanent member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization had stated earlier that at least 6000 terrorists operate in Afghanistan.
Anatoly Sidorov, Chief of Joint Staff of (CSTO) in a press conference on Tuesday admitted that ISIS-K and Al-Qaida in Afghanistan are a serious threat to the security of Central Asia.
“Instability in the regions is directly linked to the Taliban’s policy to repress religious and ethnic minorities, increasing level of violence and lack of unity. The Taliban-run administration is currently plagued with a serious economic and humanitarian crisis,” he added.
Despite other challenges, drug trafficking, and illegal distribution of weapons can pave the way for another civil war in Afghanistan, given the existing situation.
source: khaama
