According to TOLO News, the Taliban has denied a media report citing a “classified Pentagon assessment” that Afghanistan has become a significant coordinate site for the Daesh/ISIS group that plans attacks in Europe and Asia and engages in “aspirational plotting” against the US.
Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Taliban-led Qatar-based Political Office, denied the report. According to TOLO News, he stated that Daesh has been defeated in Afghanistan. Suhail Shaheen’s statement comes after The Washington Post cited a “classified Pentagon assessment” in its report demonstrating the threat as a “growing security concern.” According to Suhail Shaheen, the Washington Post report does not reflect the ground realities in Afghanistan.
“The report of The Washington Post is not in accordance with the ground realities in Afghanistan. These reports are made based on their personal wish. The fact is that Daesh has no physical presence in Afghanistan as it had during the invasion,” TOLO News quoted him as saying.
The attack planning detailed in US intelligence findings revealed that the Discord messaging platforms revealed specific efforts to target embassies, churches, business centers, and the FIFA World Cup tournament, which had over 2 million spectators in Qatar, according to TOLO News, citing The Washington Post report.
According to the assessment, Pentagon officials were aware of nine such attacks coordinated by ISIS leaders in Afghanistan in December, and the number had risen to 15 by February. According to the news, political analyst Najibullah Jami stated that there is no threat in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries, particularly in Central Asia.
“The presence and activity of Daesh inside Afghanistan, which is aiming to reach their final targets–to the neighboring countries and particularly the Central Asia — not only causes instability in Afghanistan but also in neighboring countries,” TOLO News quoted Najeeb Rahman Shamal, political analyst as saying.
Earlier this month, a suicide bomber targeted the Taliban-led Foreign Ministry in Kabul, Afghanistan. According to Dawn, five people were killed and several others were injured in the attack. According to Kabul police chief Khalid Zadran, an explosion occurred on the road outside the Taliban-led Afghan foreign ministry, killing five people and injuring many more.
The Taliban, according to Zadran, condemns such an “aimless and cowardly attack on Muslims.” The chief of police in Kabul stated, “The perpetrators will be found and punished for their evil deeds.”
Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai called the bombing an “act of terrorism, a crime against humanity, and an act against all human and Islamic values.”
Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai condemned the explosion, calling it an “act of terrorism, a crime against humanity, and an act against all human and Islamic values.”
The attack was also condemned by the United Nations.”This is just another example of rising insecurity, which is of great concern to us,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. There is “no way to bring any sort of peace to Afghanistan.”
In a statement, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expressed its condolences to the affected families and stated that violence is not part of any solution to bring Afghanistan lasting peace.
“UNAMA condemns today’s attack outside the Foreign Ministry in Kabul,” the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) tweeted. There have been numerous reports of casualties, including civilians. Rising insecurity is a major source of concern. Violence is not a viable solution to bringing long-term peace to #Afghanistan. Our hearts go out to the families who have been affected.”
