RANE essential geopolitics podcast looks at the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan. The problem can be attributed to the extremist group of Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), says Isaia Galace, a global security analyst. 

The security situation has been critical in recent months in Afghanistan, which have been witnessed several targeted attacks and bomb blasts among civilians and foreign nationals. Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021, ISKP has mainly targeted the Taliban and ethnic and religious minorities. 

On September 5th, ISKP notably claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing conducted at the entrance to the Russian embassy in Kabul, which killed two embassy staff members and at least one Afghan civilian.  

Then on December 2nd, the group conducted a shooting attack targeting the Pakistan head of mission there; he was able to escape alive. Still, a Pakistani security guard was killed in the attack. Later, on December 12th, ISKP militants attacked the Chinese hotel in Kabul, where Chinese business travellers were targeting. The attack resulted in at least 21 causalities.

The statement released by ISKP in the aftermath of that attack did indicate an intent to target Chinese nationals. 

Notably, the attack came a day after the Taliban deputy foreign minister reassured the Chines embassy in Afghanistan after Chine expressed concern over the security of its diplomat in Kabul, given the recent shooting targeting Pakistan’s head of mission. 

The regional implication of security deterioration in Afghanistan

Through these attacks, ISKP is successfully challenging the Taliban’s foreign relations by damaging its credibility and upholding security guarantees by the Taliban, said Galace.

The Taliban’s foreign relations, particularly with the regional countries that have been more willing to pursue investment projects in Afghanistan for regional stability, depend on the Taliban’s ability to secure the country and prevent exploitation by violent extremist organizations. 

The Islamic State organisation also claimed responsibility for the latest attack in Kabul that killed a local police commander. These attacks show an increase in ISKP targeting of foreigners and Afghan citizens, and the interim government showed weak capability in countering the ISKP group. Overall, it anticipates more of these strikes in Afghanistan in the coming years.