US Peace Institute Analyst questions Taliban’s security claims amid ISIS attacks

Andrew Watkins, an analyst at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), highlights the impact of Moscow’s attack on the Taliban government. He points out that the rise in ISIS-Khorasan attacks in the region raises doubts about the Taliban’s ability to maintain stability and tackle security challenges emanating from Afghanistan. He added that increased ISIS-Khorasan […]

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Andrew Watkins, an analyst at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), highlights the impact of Moscow’s attack on the Taliban government. He points out that the rise in ISIS-Khorasan attacks in the region raises doubts about the Taliban’s ability to maintain stability and tackle security challenges emanating from Afghanistan.

He added that increased ISIS-Khorasan activity will have detrimental effects on the Taliban government. Mr. Watkins stated in his remarks, published on the US Institute of Peace website, “The more ISIS-Khorasan can carry out international terrorist attacks, the more countries may question the Taliban’s effectiveness in addressing security challenges arising from Afghanistan.”

Mr. Watkins claimed that the Taliban has managed to diminish ISIS’s ability to operate within Afghanistan and that the group has sidelined its efforts to revolt against the Taliban. However, according to him, ISIS has demonstrated “adaptability” against Taliban actions and, by changing its approach, has resorted to smaller-scale but more sensitive attacks.

Esfandyar Mir, a US Institute of Peace analyst, highlights the Moscow attack’s implications. He suggests it undermines the belief in the Taliban’s control over ISIS, confirming ISIS’s global ambitions. Mir calls for increased resources, including monitoring Afghan threats and potential military action, and emphasizes the need for closer regional cooperation in countering ISIS.

Watkins believes that the release of audio tapes by Mullah Haibatullah, the leader of the Taliban, in the days following the Moscow attack, and his emphasis on implementing Sharia according to the harsh interpretation of this group, is not accidental. He said that these statements by Haibatullah Akhundzada, claiming that the Taliban government will stone women, could be a defense of the jihadist promises of this group at a time when ISIS also makes similar promises.

Last week, a devastating suicide attack rocked Kandahar, resulting in over 45 casualties and dozens of injuries. ISIS claimed responsibility for the assault, indicating their continued presence and capability to carry out deadly attacks in the region.

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