The Afghan branch of the Islamic State and its complex relations with the Taliban and al-Qaeda

President Joe Biden said last Friday that there would be consequences for the Taliban whether there has been an attack on US forces or an interruption in US evacuation operations.

“We have made it clear to the Taliban that any attack, any attack on our forces or disruption of our operations at the airport, will be the subject of a swift and forceful response,” Biden said. “Also we closely monitor any potential terrorist threat at or around the airport, including from ISIS affiliates in Afghanistan What they were released when the prisons were emptied on the orders of the Taliban. And because they are, moreover, ISIS in Afghanistan is or has been the sworn enemy of the Taliban. “

A United Nations report in July estimated that ISIS-K’s strength was “between 500 and 1,500 combatants”, while another estimated that “it could increase to 10,000 in the medium term”. The report noted that ISIS-K “was largely underground and run by Shahab Muhajir “.

The UN said Muhajir “may also have previously been a mid-level commander in the Red haqqani“, and which” continues to cooperate with the entity “and provides” key expertise and access to networks [de ataque]The report states that member states “reported a tactical or command-level collaboration between ISIS-K and the Red haqqani“but” others categorically deny such claims. “

The Haqqani network, link between enemies

haqqani.webp

Militiamen from the Haqqani network, allied with the Taliban, but who have operational links with the Islamic State in Afghanistan or ISIS-K.

The ISIS-K affair then came to question the Haqqani network. This has the backing of Pakistani security elements, is one of the most experienced and sophisticated insurgent organizations in Afghanistan, according to the ISW (Institute for the Study of War). Although the Haqqani network is officially part of the larger Taliban organization, the Haqqani maintain separate command and control, as well as lines of operations.

Siraj Haqqani, son of famous anti-Soviet fighter Jalaluddin Haqqani, is the current leader network. Siraj is more extreme than his father and maintains closer ties to al-Qaeda and other foreign extremists in Pakistan. La Rouge Haqqani maintains a haven of peace in North Waziristan, Pakistan, across the south-eastern border of Afghanistan. Pakistani army has consistently refused to launch military operation in Waziristan North despite the presence of senior al-Qaeda leaders. The establishment Pakistani security considers that Red Haqqani as a useful ally and substitute force to represent your interests in Afghanistan.

Returning to ISIS-K and the UN report: “Authorized movement of personnel with a tacit understanding that both groups benefit from some joint attacks, as such attacks project a weakening of the security situation which undermines public confidence in the (Afghan) government and clearly benefits both ISIS-K and the Haqqani network. “

The UN report warned that a member state “suggested that Some attacks can be denied by the Taliban and claimed by ISIS-K, without it being clear whether these attacks were purely orchestrated by the Haqqani network, or whether they were joint ventures. who used ISIS-K terrorists “.

ISIS regains strength in Afghanistan

ISIS-K carried out dozens of attacks in Afghanistan in 2020 and 2021. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan “77 recorded attacks claimed and / or attributed by ISIS-K” in the first four months of 2021, which represents an increase of 21 such attacks over the same period of 2020.

The Inspector General of the US Military Operation in Afghanistan published a report in May in which He warned that ISIS-K was getting stronger in 2021. “After a series of significant defeats and setbacks last year, ISIS-K regained its strength this quarter. The group has maintained a constant operating rhythm and retains the ability to carry out terrorist attacks in Kabul and other big cities. ISIS-K has strengthened its ranks by appealing to disgruntled Taliban members, ”according to the report.

ISIS expanded to the Korasan region in 2015, which includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and parts of Central Asia.. The The ISIS-K subsidiary was founded by the commanders of the Pakistani terrorist group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, and its affiliated founders swore allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the founder of the Islamic State, in 2014.

Sirajuddin Haqqani, the “deputy emir” of the Taliban, too “He currently directs the daily activities of the Haqqani Network,” according to the State Department., who explained that “The Haqqani network is allied with the Afghan Taliban and Al-Qaeda. The United States has designated Sirajuddin as a terrorist.

The The National Counterterrorism Center said the Haqqani “are considered the deadliest and most sophisticated insurgent group. What targets American forces, the Coalition and the Afghans. “ members of the Haqqani network have been entrusted with part of the security of Kabul by the Taliban.

Al-Qaeda also maintains a strong presence in Afghanistan and has continued its more than two-decade alliance with the Taliban. after carrying out the 2001 terrorist attacks that killed 3,000 Americans.

A UN report said: “The main component of the Taliban in their dealings with Al Qaeda is the Haqqani network. The ties between the two groups remain close, based on ideological alignment, relationships forged through common conflicts and mixed marriages. “

The Inspector General of Pentagon, Sean O’Donnell, wrote in February that “Although the Taliban actively oppose and fight ISIS operatives in Afghanistan, the Taliban continue to maintain relations with Al Qaeda.