ISLAMABAD: The United States has announced stringent national securitymeasures citing the strengthened presence of Al-Qaeda, IslamicState-Khorasan (IS-K), and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistanfollowing the 2021 withdrawal, raising concerns over potential threats toAmerican soil.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated on social media that theTaliban’s return to power has significantly bolstered multiple terroristorganisations, including those directly targeting the United States and itsallies.
The Department of Homeland Security has initiated a comprehensivere-vetting process for thousands of Afghan nationals who were grantedpermanent residency through humanitarian parole and Special Immigrant Visaprogrammes during the chaotic evacuation from Kabul.
Officials confirmed that intelligence assessments now indicate a markedincrease in operational freedom for Al-Qaeda and IS-K inside Afghanistan,alongside growing cross-border activities by TTP against Pakistan andpotential planning against western targets.
The new policy includes enhanced background checks, biometric re-screening,and possible revocation of legal status for individuals deemed to posecontinuing security risks, even after initial clearance.
Analysts view the move as one of the strongest signals yet that Washingtonconsiders the Taliban unable or unwilling to curb terrorist groupsoperating from Afghan territory despite earlier commitments.
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The decision has already sparked criticism from refugee advocacy groups whoargue that many Afghans fled precisely because they opposed the Taliban andassisted American forces during the twenty-year war.
Pakistan, which shares a long porous border with Afghanistan, hasrepeatedly urged the international community for maintaining pressureagainst terrorist safe havens.
The development comes amid rising TTP attacks inside Pakistan and recentIS-K claims of plots targeting western interests.
Source: www.dhs.gov/news-releases/press-releases”>https://www.dhs.gov/news-releases/press-releases