As NATO coalition troops depart from
Afghanistan, there are growing numbers of violent attacks from groups claiming
allegiance to ISIS. Daesh affiliates are supposed to be operating in the
provinces of Ghazni, Helmand, Farah, Zabul, Faryab, Parwan and Logar. The
threat is further enhanced by ISIS’ activities in Afghanistan’s eastern neighbour Pakistan.
Opinions remain divided as to whether the issue
of ISIS expanding their mission to Afghanistan should be either ignored or taken
more seriously. In a recent interview with the Afghan news channel Tolo News
Muhammad Asef Sediqi, the Second Deputy of the Afghan Senate, emphasized the
importance to defend the country against ISIS incursions, as hardline Taliban
fighters and disaffected youth in Afghanistan are prone to be recruited by the
group. Others, however, believe that Afghanistan has many other issues to deal
with and caution not to get caught up on the issue of ISIS posing a new and
further threat to a country that is already little more than a failed state and
breeding ground for extremism. Furthermore, many argue that there is in fact
little difference between the Taliban and ISIS. The two groups follow similar
ideals and visions with the Taliban’s name ‘Islamic Emirate’ alluding to ISIS’
aim to establish a new caliphate. ISIS might hence be little more than the ‘old
evildoers’ wearing new badges.
Despite the question whether ISIS poses an
actual further threat to Afghanistan and whether it is substantially different
from the Taliban, the fear over ISIS’ activity in Afghanistan will be an
important factor for the West to reconsider its efforts and policies towards
the country. The issue might serve as a wake-up call for the international
community that needs to adjust its narrative of ‘all is going well in
Afghanistan’ and ensure a longer-term development strategy in order to avoid
the further deterioration of the country.
