United Nations experts, in a report to the Security Council, state that the Taliban has provided a safe haven for terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda and ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) in Afghanistan, presenting a grave threat to Central Asia and global security.
ISIS-K Threat and Child Recruitment
ISIS-K, with an estimated 2,000 fighters, is identified as the “most serious regional threat,” continuing to recruit both domestically and internationally. In northern Afghanistan near Pakistan’s border, the group trains children under 14 in religious schools for suicide missions.
Al-Qaeda Training Camps
Al-Qaeda, largely comprising Arab-origin fighters, maintains several training camps in Helmand, Kandahar, Kunar, Uruzgan, and Zabul provinces. Three newly identified camps provide training to al-Qaeda and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operatives. Reports confirm the transfer of extremists from Syria to Afghanistan for operations targeting Central Asian states.
Taliban Support for TTP and Baloch Militants
The TTP, with approximately 6,000 fighters, benefits from substantial Taliban logistical and operational support. In southern Afghanistan, TTP coordinates closely with Baloch militants, including the “Majid Brigade,” utilizing four joint training camps backed by al-Qaeda.
ISIS-K Financial Resources
ISIS-K holds an estimated $10 million in assets, funded through extortion, financial aid from Somalia, and Middle Eastern real estate investments. The group has also sent fighters to Syria to reinforce its ranks.
