RASC News Agency: Amid escalating concerns over the resurgence of ISIS in Afghanistan, U.S. Representative Michael McCaul has issued a stark warning regarding the group’s active presence in the region and its pursuit of strategic objectives from Afghanistan territory. Recent reports by international media suggest that ISIS has regained a foothold in Afghanistan. In the latest development, the former Chair of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee stated that ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) has reestablished operations in the borderlands between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Michael McCaul voiced his apprehensions, stating, “One of the issues that deeply troubles me is the collapse of Afghanistan and the subsequent catastrophe unfolding there.” He continued, “We are gravely concerned about the resurgence of ISIS-K in the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan. This development is not only alarming but poses a significant threat to regional stability.”
The Taliban, for their part, have dismissed these concerns as baseless propaganda by the West. However, the surge in ISIS-K activities, including numerous high-profile attacks, paints a starkly different picture. Evidence from the ground indicates that the group has regrouped and significantly intensified its operations. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesperson, downplayed the threat by asserting, “ISIS intermittently causes disturbances or attempts malicious acts in areas where security remains weak. They thrive on deception and trickery. They lack substantial power, and we will ensure they are not allowed to expand.”
Despite such assurances, ISIS-K has carried out a series of deadly attacks in recent months. These include the killing of nearly 15 civilians in Daykundi and a suicide bombing targeting the Taliban’s Minister of Refugees. The group’s resurgence and growing operational capabilities underscore the precarious security landscape in Afghanistan. The increasing frequency of ISIS-K attacks raises pressing concerns about the Taliban’s ability to maintain control and prevent the region from becoming a breeding ground for extremist violence once again.
