ISIS’ Threat in Afghanistan

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.