Title: ISIS-K Continues to Challenge Taliban Rule in Afghanistan and Beyond
In the ongoing power struggle in Afghanistan, the Islamic State’s affiliate, ISIS-K, has emerged as a formidable opponent to the Taliban government. Despite the Taliban’s efforts to establish control and restore peace in the country, ISIS-K has continued to carry out bold and deadly attacks, both within Afghanistan and beyond its borders.
Established in 2015 by disaffected fighters of the Pakistani Taliban, ISIS-K has been at odds with the Taliban from the start. The group’s ideology, rooted in Salafi Islam, clashes with the Taliban’s adherence to the Hanafi school of Islam. ISIS-K has criticized the Taliban for not implementing what it considers true Shariah law and for engaging with non-Muslim countries like the United States and Russia.
In recent years, ISIS-K has escalated its attacks, targeting political rallies in Pakistan, conducting suicide bombings in Iran, and most recently, carrying out a terrorist attack in Moscow that claimed the lives of at least 133 people. The group has also threatened embassies of China, India, and Iran in Afghanistan, releasing anti-Russian propaganda and denouncing the Taliban for their diplomatic relations with foreign powers.
Despite the Taliban’s relentless counterterrorism campaign against ISIS-K, the group has remained active and resilient, shifting its tactics to focus on major attacks rather than small hit-and-run operations. The ongoing conflict between the two groups has raised concerns about the potential for further violence and instability in the region.
As the Taliban government faces challenges from ISIS-K, experts warn of the group’s ability to inspire attacks by individuals not directly affiliated with them. The messaging from ISIS-K seeks to drive a wedge between the Taliban and major powers like Russia, China, and Iran, who have recently engaged with the Taliban authorities in diplomatic efforts.
The attack in Moscow has prompted condemnation from Afghanistan’s foreign ministry, calling for regional countries to take a united stand against terrorism and destabilization. As the power struggle between the Taliban and ISIS-K continues, the future of Afghanistan remains uncertain, with the threat of further violence looming large.
