Al Qaeda Rapidly Growing In Afghanistan
According to UN and SIGAR reports, Al Qaeda has significantly expanded its presence in Afghanistan since the US withdrawal, enjoying Taliban protection.
The UN report said Al Qaeda maintains close ties with the Taliban and has set up numerous training camps and madrasas across several provinces.
It is rebuilding but not yet capable of overseas attacks.
The U.N. Security Council reported, “the relationship between the Taliban and Al-Qaida remains close, and the latter maintains a holding pattern in Afghanistan under Taliban patronage.”
The report claimed the terrorist group has “established up to eight new training camps in Afghanistan, including four in Ghazni, Laghman, Parwan and Uruzgan Provinces, with a new base to stockpile weaponry in the Panjshir Valley.”
The report explained, “The group maintains safe houses to facilitate the movement between Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Provinces of Herat, Farah and Helmand, with additional safe house locations in Kabul.”
However, The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) noted concerns over weapons flows and Al Qaeda’s calls for global attacks on Western targets.
According to their report, “The movement of weapons, ammunition, and explosives—many seized from the former U.S.-funded Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF)—remains a security concern.”
The SIGAR report revealed, “This quarter, Al Qaeda’s general command, believed to be based in Afghanistan, released three press statements calling for attacks on American, European, and Israeli embassies and buildings globally in response to the Israel-Hamas war.”
While the Taliban claims to curb terrorists, the reports suggest Al Qaeda is growing stronger under its patronage, with uncertainties around the Taliban’s willingness and ability to constrain foreign fighter networks and external operations.
The situation indicates Al Qaeda reemerging as a security threat from its safe haven in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Source » msn.com
