RASC News Agency: According to a recent report by Foreign Policy, the Al-Qaeda network has once again returned to Afghanistan and is thriving under the protection of the Taliban group. A report from an analysis center in London was published by this media outlet on Friday, Mar 22, confirming that the details of this report have been corroborated by independent sources.
According to this report, the Al-Qaeda network has recruited tens of thousands of laborers for illegal mining in Badakhshan and Takhar under the Taliban group’s protection, with Al-Qaeda making millions of dollars weekly from mines in the northeastern region of the country. The report states, “The Taliban group earns over $25 million monthly from gold mines in Badakhshan and Takhar, with this money not reflected in their official budget but going directly into the pockets of high-ranking members of the group and their private networks.”
According to the information in this report, since the commencement of mining operations in early 2022, Al-Qaeda has amassed a total of $194.4 million. Additionally, this media outlet added that Al-Qaeda has a presence among senior Taliban officials and is involved in decision-making processes. This London-based institute noted in its report that it has identified 14 Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups worldwide profiting from Afghanistan’s mines, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, Ansarullah Tajikistan, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Al-Qaeda in Yemen, Al-Qaeda in Iraq, Al-Qaeda in Syria, Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb, and Al-Shabaab in East Africa.
The Taliban group has not yet commented on this report, but they have consistently stated that they have no links with terrorist groups. This information comes as the UN Security Council’s monitoring and analysis team recently announced that Al-Qaeda is present in Afghanistan under the Taliban’s rule and has established training centers in some provinces.
