ISLAMABAD: The Afghan Taliban administration has firmly rejectedinternational allegations of harboring foreign militant groups, assertingthat no such entities operate within its borders while claiming thatremnants of the Islamic State have found refuge in neighboring countries.This rebuttal came from Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid following aUnited Nations Security Council session where Pakistan, China and othernations highlighted persistent terrorist threats emanating from Afghanterritory under Taliban control. Mujahid described the concerns asunfounded, attributing them partly to the Taliban’s lack of representationat the United Nations, which he argued allows biased narratives to prevail.
The exchange underscores deepening regional tensions over cross-bordersecurity, with Pakistan and China voicing specific grievances aboutmilitant activities. At the Security Council meeting, Pakistan’srepresentative detailed how groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan andBaloch separatists have intensified operations since the Taliban’s 2021return to power, launching attacks from Afghan soil. These incursions haveinflicted significant casualties and economic damage on Pakistan, whichclaims over 90,000 lives lost to terrorism in recent decades. Therepresentative positioned Pakistan as a frontline state in counterterrorismefforts, urging stronger Taliban action against sanctuaries.
China’s envoy echoed similar worries, focusing on the presence of al-Qaida,Islamic State and Uyghur militants in Afghanistan. Beijing referenced arecent Islamic State attack on a Chinese restaurant in Kabul’s Shahr-e-Nawdistrict, which killed several people including Chinese nationals, asevidence of unchecked militant activity. China called for serious Talibanmeasures to curb such threats, emphasizing the need to protect its citizensand investments amid growing economic ties with Kabul. The concerns reflectBeijing’s broader regional security priorities, particularly regardingstability along its borders.
In response, Mujahid insisted Afghanistan remains secure and free offoreign or rogue groups. He claimed the Islamic State Khorasan branch, onceactive in Afghanistan, has been defeated domestically but regrettablyestablished bases in neighboring countries. Though he avoided namingspecific nations, Taliban officials have previously pointed to Pakistan asa location where Islamic State fighters receive training and sanctuary.This counter-narrative aims to deflect criticism and portray the Taliban aseffective in neutralizing internal threats while highlighting externalfailures.
The United Nations session, held amid ongoing debates on Afghanistan’sstability, also featured the US ambassador noting the enduring IslamicState threat extending beyond Afghanistan to Africa, the Middle East andSouth Asia. Coordinated international action was deemed essential tocontain the group’s expansion. Such assessments align with periodic UNmonitoring reports that describe a permissive environment in Afghanistanfor various terrorist entities, despite Taliban denials. The absence ofTaliban representation at the UN continues to fuel mutual accusations ofmisinformation.
These developments occur against a backdrop of strainedPakistan-Afghanistan relations, marked by border clashes, refugeeexpulsions and accusations of harboring militants. Pakistan has repeatedlydemanded Taliban crackdowns on Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, whose attackssurged post-2021, while Kabul views such demands as interference. China’sinvolvement adds complexity, given its investments and concerns over Uyghurmilitants, yet it maintains pragmatic engagement with the Taliban. Themutual blame game risks escalating instability in an already fragile region.
Analysts observe that the Taliban’s strategy involves downplaying domesticmilitant presence to seek legitimacy and economic aid, while redirectingscrutiny outward. However, persistent attacks claimed by Islamic StateKhorasan, including those targeting foreigners, undermine these claims.Regional powers like Pakistan and China, facing direct repercussions, pressfor accountability, yet Taliban governance remains isolated internationallydue to human rights and counterterrorism shortfalls.
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The controversy highlights the challenges of post-2021 Afghanistan, wheresecurity vacuums and ideological alignments complicate counterterrorism.Without inclusive governance or robust cooperation, cross-border threatspersist, affecting civilian lives and regional economies. Internationalforums like the Security Council serve as platforms for airing grievances,but tangible progress requires dialogue beyond rhetoric.
The episode reinforces the need for balanced approaches to Afghanistan’ssecurity dilemmas, balancing pressure on the Taliban with engagement toprevent further radicalization. As accusations fly, the human cost mounts,underscoring the urgency for de-escalation and joint efforts against sharedthreats like Islamic State.
Source:https://8am.media/eng/un-security-concerns-taliban-say-no-foreign-or-rogue-groups-present-in-afghanistan
Nations Security Council
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