The ISIS affiliate known as Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) has been identified by American officials as the group behind the deadly attack in Moscow. This group has been a significant antagonist to the Taliban government in Afghanistan, carrying out repeated attacks in the region, including on the Russian Embassy.
ISIS-K has positioned itself as the primary rival to the Taliban, criticizing the government for not implementing true Shariah law since coming to power in 2021. The group has sought to undermine the Taliban’s relationships with regional allies and portray the government as incapable of providing security in the country.
In recent years, ISIS-K has targeted various embassies in Kabul, including those of Russia, Pakistan, China, India, and Iran. The group has also carried out attacks outside of Afghanistan, such as twin bombings in Iran that killed and wounded many at a memorial service for Qassim Suleimani.
Despite the Taliban’s efforts to eliminate ISIS-K, the group has remained active and resilient across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran. The Taliban has conducted counterterrorism operations against ISIS-K, but the group has continued to carry out attacks, including a recent suicide bombing in Kandahar.
Following the attack in Moscow, Afghanistan’s foreign ministry condemned the incident and called for regional countries to take a united stand against terrorism aimed at destabilizing the region. The ongoing conflict between the Taliban and ISIS-K highlights the complex security challenges facing Afghanistan and its neighbors.
