KABUL – Resolute Support Mission’s (RS) Public Affairs Director Capt. TomGresback said in an interview with TOLOnews that 1,600 Daeshmilitants were killed in 2017 in Afghanistan and that the Daesh threat isnot increasing in the country.

According to Gresback, Daesh is active in only three provinces in thecountry and that the existing threat is not growing.

He also said RS’s Air Forces along the Afghan security forces were able topush back Daesh about seven kilometers in Mohmand Dara in Achin district inNangarhar.

“The number of ISIS-K fighters killed in Afghanistan in 2017 wasapproximately 1,600 fighters,” said Gresback.

Gresback also called on Taliban to join the Afghan peace process and saidif they failed to do so they would be targeted anywhere in the country. Hesaid Taliban should use winter for negotiationswith the Afghan government.

“Our message to the Taliban is reconciliation. We will continue to pursuethem unabated through the winter months. There will be no breaks during thewinter months, it will be a long winter for the Taliban,” Gresback said.

Afghan defense ministry meanwhile said they are targeting Daesh militantswherever they are in the country and insisted that reports of a rise inDaesh numbers were not true.

A number of members of parliament, however said Daesh activities andmovements in the country pose a serious threat. They blasted governmentover hiding information about Daesh activities in the country.

Although RS says Daesh only exists in three provinces, MPs claim Daesh isactive in more than three provinces.