United Front Intl
No Result
View All Result
Sunday, June 4, 2023
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • US
  • World
  • Politics
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
  • Be in the Know
  • ShopNew
Contact us
United Front Intl
  • Home
  • US
  • World
  • Politics
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
  • Be in the Know
  • ShopNew

No products in the cart.

No Result
View All Result
United Front Intl
No Result
View All Result
Home World

Afghanistan airport attack: Who are IS-K?

An attack in Kabul which killed up to 170 people - including 13 US troops - has been claimed by a local branch of Islamic State (IS).

by admin
August 28, 2021
in World
Afghanistan airport attack: Who are IS-K?

GETTY IMAGES

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

BBC News
By Frank Gardner

There had been repeated warnings by Western governments beforehand that an attack by IS-K was likely.

Who are IS-K?
IS-K – Islamic State Khorasan Province – is the regional affiliate of the Islamic State group.

It is the most extreme and violent of all the jihadist militant groups in Afghanistan.

IS-K was set up in January 2015 at the height of IS’s power in Iraq and Syria, before its self-declared caliphate was defeated and dismantled by a US-led coalition.

It recruits both Afghan and Pakistani jihadists, especially defecting members of the Afghan Taliban who don’t see their own organisation as extreme enough.

“Khorasan” refers to a historical region covering parts of modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. The group initially included Pakistan until a separate Pakistan section was declared in May 2019.

How many members does IS-K have?
At its height the group numbered about 3,000 fighters.

However, it has suffered significant casualties in clashes with both the US and Afghan security forces, and also with the Taliban.

What attacks have IS-K carried out?
IS-K has targeted Afghan security forces, Afghan politicians and ministries, the Taliban, religious minorities, including Shia Muslims and Sikhs, US and Nato forces, and international agencies, including aid organisations.

IS-K have been blamed for some of the worst atrocities in recent years, targeting girls’ schools, hospitals and even a maternity ward, where they reportedly shot dead pregnant women and nurses.

Unlike the Taliban, whose interest is confined to Afghanistan, IS-K are part of the global IS network that seeks to carry out attacks on Western, international and humanitarian targets wherever they can reach them.

Where are IS-K based?
IS-K are based in the eastern province of Nangarhar, close to drug and people-smuggling routes in and out of Pakistan.

While most of its activities have been in Nangahar and Kabul, it has also claimed attacks in the provinces of Kunar, Jowzjan, Paktia, Kunduz and Herat.

Are IS-K linked to the Taliban?
Peripherally yes, via a third party, the Haqqani network.

According to researchers, there are strong links between IS-K and the Haqqani network, which in turn is closely linked to the Taliban.

The man now in charge of security in Kabul is Khalil Haqqani who has had a $5m (£3.6m) bounty on his head.

Dr Sajjan Gohel from the Asia Pacific Foundation has been monitoring the militant networks in Afghanistan for years.

He says “several major attacks between 2019 and 2021 involved collaboration between IS-K, the Taliban’s Haqqani network and other terror groups based in Pakistan”.

When the Taliban took over in Kabul on 15 August, the group released large numbers of prisoners from Pul-e-Charki jail, reportedly including IS and al-Qaeda militants. These people are now at large.

Why IS-K presents a challenge to the Taliban
But IS-K have major differences with the Taliban, accusing them of abandoning Jihad and the battlefield in favour of a negotiated peace settlement hammered out in “posh hotels” in Doha, Qatar.

IS-K considers Taliban militants “apostates”, making their killing lawful under their interpretation of Islamic law.

IS militants now represent a major security challenge for the incoming Taliban government, something the Taliban leadership shares in common with Western intelligence agencies.

Related

ShareTweetSendSend

Related Posts

At least 19 confirmed dead in Mahdia school dorm fire
World

At least 19 confirmed dead in Mahdia school dorm fire

May 22, 2023
The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla
Be in the Know

The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla

May 8, 2023
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol addresses U. S.  Congress
Videos

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol addresses U. S. Congress

April 29, 2023
President Biden welcomes South Korean President Yoon, wife to the White House for a state visit
Videos

President Biden welcomes South Korean President Yoon, wife to the White House for a state visit

April 29, 2023
Putin arrest warrant: Biden welcomes ICC’s war crimes charges
World

Putin arrest warrant: Biden welcomes ICC’s war crimes charges

March 19, 2023
Former Taiwan president Ma to visit China in landmark trip
World

Former Taiwan president Ma to visit China in landmark trip

March 19, 2023

My Cart

No Content Available

Categories

  • Be in the Know
  • Coronavirus
  • Politics
  • US
  • Videos
  • World

UnitedFrontIntl Store

My Account & Ordering
Cart
Checkout
Track My Order
Refund and Returns Policy
Privacy Policy
FAQs

Site Navigation

  • Home
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • About Us
  • Shipping Policy

Links

CNBC
Reuters

The New York Times
The Washington Post


Your tax-deductible gift is vital and will help us fund and maintain our website to bring you current news and information on a daily basis. Thank you in advance.

© 2022 United Front Intl

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • US
  • World
  • Politics
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
  • Be in the Know
  • Contact Us
  • Advertisement
  • Shop

© 2022 United Front Intl

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In