Security Council Discussion: Are the Raised Concerns Valid?

The United Nations Security Council meeting, held (Monday, February 10), focused on the threats posed by ISIS, particularly its Khorasan branch (ISIS-K).

Representatives from the United States, China, and Russia voiced their concerns over ISIS activities in Afghanistan and their implications for regional and global security.

Fu Cong, China’s Permanent Representative to the UN, said: “Terrorist organizations such as ISIS, al-Qaeda, and (East Turkestan Islamic Movement) ETIM are currently very active in Afghanistan, and they are colluding with each other. They not only undermine Afghanistan’s security but also pose a threat to regional and international peace.”

The US representative emphasized that ISIS-affiliated groups in Central Asia, particularly ISIS-K, pose a global threat.

“We remain concerned about ISIS-K’s capabilities to plot and conduct attacks, as well as sustain recruitment campaigns, particularly in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” the US representative said.

Russia’s representative pointed out that NATO left behind a significant amount of weapons and equipment in Afghanistan, which have reportedly fallen into the hands of ISIS.
Vasily Nebenzya said: “We cannot overlook the situation in Afghanistan. The growing activity of ISIL-Khorasan is no coincidence. While hastily leaving Afghanistan, NATO troops abandoned vast quantities of weapons and equipment there, which then fell into the hands of ISIL inter alia.”

The Pakistani representative also highlighted the threats posed by ISIS, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the Majeed Brigade, saying: “This threat of Daesh, TTP and Majeed Brigade is a threat not only to Afghanistan and not only to Pakistan but to the entire region and beyond.”

The Islamic Emirate has yet to respond to the remarks made by the representatives at the UN Security Council meeting. However, a spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate said on Monday that ISIS has been suppressed in Afghanistan and no longer holds power.