RASC News Agency: The U.S. Department of State, in its 2023 Annual Terrorism Report, has revealed that the Taliban persist in sheltering and supporting al-Qaeda within Afghanistan. The report also confirms that the United States has yet to consider recognizing the Taliban’s regime as the legitimate government of the country. The report, published on Thursday, refutes the Taliban’s claim that al-Qaeda members are incapable of launching terrorist operations from Afghanistan territory. Citing independent assessments by the United Nations, it asserts that the Taliban not only facilitate al-Qaeda’s presence but also permit the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to operate from Afghanistan soil.
According to the findings, TTP operatives frequently cross the Afghanistan-Pakistan border to conduct attacks. The report highlights internal divisions within the Taliban regarding their approach to managing the TTP, reflecting a lack of unified policy within the group. While the Taliban have engaged in military campaigns against ISIS-K (the Islamic State’s Khorasan Province), viewing it as their primary adversary, they continue to offer refuge to other extremist groups. The U.S. State Department notes that despite public and private assurances of adhering to counterterrorism obligations under the Doha Agreement, the Taliban remain a host for al-Qaeda, TTP, and ISIS affiliates.
In a specific incident cited in the report, Tajikistan’s security forces in April 2023 intercepted and neutralized terrorist operatives originating from Afghanistan who had been planning attacks on Tajik territory. Additionally, ISIS-K has continued its campaign of violence in Afghanistan throughout 2023, with a particular focus on targeting religious minorities. These activities, coupled with the enduring presence of extremist factions, underscore Afghanistan’s status as a hub of insecurity and a persistent threat to regional stability under Taliban rule.
The report emphasizes the critical need for a comprehensive international response to the proliferation of terrorist networks operating under the protection of the Taliban. It serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing risks posed by Afghanistan’s deteriorating security environment.
