IEA rejects UN concern at ISIS presence in Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): The United Nations (UN) says Daesh, or the Islamic State, in Afghanistan “remains a significant concern”, but the Islamic Emirate rejects such apprehensions as mere “propaganda”.

The UN United Nations counterterrorism office warned Thursday there was a risk of the Afghanistan-based Islamic State affiliate IS-Khorasan carrying out attacks abroad.

“ISIL-K has improved its financial and logistical capabilities in the past six months, including by tapping into Afghan and Central Asian diasporas for support,” said Vladimir Voronkov, head of the UN counterterrorism office.

“We must unite to prevent Afghanistan from once again becoming a hotbed of terrorism,” Voronkov stressed, urging Afghanistan’s neighbours to counter and prevent the threat from IS-K from spreading.

But Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesman for IEA, wrote on X: “Concerns raised by Western countries and institutions regarding the extensive and escalating threat of ISIS in Afghanistan are unfounded and driven by propaganda.”

According to him, the security forces of IEA have undertaken a serious fight against the ISIS in Afghanistan and have significantly weakened them.

“Furthermore, the entire territory of Afghanistan remains firmly under the control of the Islamic Emirate, leaving no room for independent or external groups to operate,” Mujahid added.

Despite the prevailing security, stability, and robust presence of security forces in Afghanistan, any apprehensions regarding the presence and activities of ISIS or other groups constituted a campaign that should be halted, he commented.

Mujahid reaffirmed the IEA was not allowing the use Afghan soil against any country. No group could pose threats to anyone from Afghanistan, he insisted.

sa/mud