Afghanistan blames US for nurturing Daesh

The Afghan Taliban have directly blamed the US behind the creation and training of Islamic State (IS), also known as the Daesh terrorist group, and termed Daesh as an American phenomenon. The comment was made by the Taliban’s governor for Kabul Mohammad Qasim Khalid, who also claimed that he has evidence proving the US’s involvement in nurturing Daesh.

Khalid said that the US is not willing to see a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, that’s why it supports the Daesh group, and also employs various tactics to destabilize the country.

The official also rejected the US claim that Taliban helped Washington against al-Qaeda. There is also no cooperation between the Taliban and al-Qaeda, a terrorist group, where US President Joe Biden claimed that Washington is getting help from the Taliban to end the al-Qaeda threat.

This statement of Biden also contradicts the UN report released last month, saying that Taliban maintains “strong and symbiotic” ties with al-Qaeda.

Taliban rejects existing of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan   

“Do you remember what I said about Afghanistan? I said al-Qaeda would not be there. I said it wouldn’t be there. I said we’d get help from the Taliban. What’s happening now? What’s going on? Read your press. I was right,” Biden said when a reporter asked if he admitted to mistakes during the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Meanwhile, Taliban Defense Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid blamed the US for obstructing international recognition of Afghanistan, and strongly denied cooperation with US in countering al-Qaeda.

The Taliban defense Mullah Yaqoob (Right) and interior ministers Sirajuddin Haqqani (left)

Yaqoob said that al-Qaeda does not exist in Afghanistan and accused Washington of violating Afghan airspace. “We want all the countries, including the US, to respect Afghanistan’s independence.”

Concerns over transforming Daesh leaders to Afghanistan

In an astonishing statement, Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian had claimed that leaders and fighters of Daesh have relocated to Afghanistan from Iraq, Syria, and Libya. Though the Taliban rejected the news, but in case, the terrorist group’s personnel pose a significant challenge for the Taliban, who have already fought against the group in the last several years.

Amirabdollahian has expressed concern of instability in Afghanistan and concern that any direct repercussions on the border region with Iran will affect his country’s peace. He also focused on forming an inclusive government in Afghanistan in order to stop the flow of Afghan refugees to Iran.

Iran did not recognize the Taliban government so far, blaming lack of such an administration as the main factor.

However, Taliban’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi strongly rejected Iran’s claim and said that the Taliban have fought against Daesh in the past and “will never allow this group to enter Afghanistan. Balkhi also said that the Taliban has neutralized the destructive capability of the group.

Iran should focus on constructive economic and political ties

“We reject the Iranian foreign minister’s allegation asserting that ISIS (Daesh) leaders have been transferred to Afghanistan from Iraq, Syria and Libya. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has meticulously fought against Daesh both during & after the end of the occupation,” Balkh said.

Balkhi reiterated that the Taliban will not allow anyone to threaten the national security of Afghanistan, or use our territory against others.

“The Iranian officials should rather focus on constructive economic, political and social relations between the two neighboring and friendly peoples and countries instead of raising false alarms about Afghanistan,” he added.

Balkhi also said that it should be remembered that Afghanistan does not have a common border with the aforementioned Arab countries, instead of placing the burden of responsibility on others, countries should fulfill their intonational obligations regarding the security of their borders.

It is important to mention that despite the Taliban’s claim, Daesh was able to carry out dozens of attacks in Afghanistan since August 2021, when the Taliban toppled the republic and regained power.

Daesh has significantly intensified violent activities since 2021   

Earlier this year, Taliban lost its two high-ranking officials – governor for Balkh province and acting Badakhshan’s governor. The two officials were killed by Daesh suicide bombers. Moreover, a classified document leaked from the Pentagon this year, has revealed that Afghanistan has become a significant coordination site for Daesh, from where they plan attacks across Europe, and Asia. The terrorist group also conducts “aspirational plotting” against the US, according to the report.

Recently, the United Nations in Afghanistan reported that Daesh has intensified its violent activities, including suicide bombings, ambushes, and assassination with a total of 224 attacks since 2021.

One of the violent activities was when Daesh carried out a bombing during evening prayers in Kabul that resulted in the death of 21 worshippers, including an influential cleric, while over 30 others received injuries. The frequent attack has brought renewed attention to the threat posed by Daesh to the Taliban.