ISKP Strikes Again: Afghanistan’s Fragile Security Crumbles – OpEd

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On December 11, 2024, a suicide bombing at the Afghan Ministry for Refugees in Kabul claimed the life of Khalil-ur-Rehman Haqqani, the minister responsible for overseeing refugee affairs in the country.

The attack, carried out by the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), underscores the growing reach and potency of one of the most dangerous terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan today. ISKP’s media wing, Amaq, quickly claimed responsibility, sending a chilling message not only to the Taliban but to the international community: Afghanistan’s struggle with extremism is far from over, and the Taliban’s promises of security remain hollow.

This assassination is a stark reminder that despite efforts to project an image of control and stability, Afghanistan remains a volatile and dangerous place. The Taliban’s repeated claims of ridding the country of foreign and domestic terrorist groups ring increasingly false, as ISKP continues to operate with near impunity, targeting senior Taliban officials and sowing discord within the fragile state apparatus.

The killing of Haqqani highlights the strategic audacity and growing power of ISKP, a group that, despite its relative youth, has proven itself a formidable adversary to the Taliban. Unlike al-Qaeda, which often operates more covertly, ISKP seeks to broadcast its brutal attacks and further destabilize the country. The choice of Haqqani as a target is not incidental—he was a prominent figure within the Taliban’s administration, and his assassination sends a message to both the Taliban leadership and the international community: ISKP is not just a fringe group, but a serious and capable force that is able to strike at the heart of the Taliban’s governance.

While the Taliban has maintained that Afghanistan is free from the influence of global jihadist organizations since their return to power in 2021, the ISKP’s ability to conduct high-profile attacks is a direct challenge to this narrative. The death of a senior Taliban official further exposes the fragility of the Taliban’s claim to control over the country and its inability to secure its own ranks. For the Taliban, this attack is a blow to their legitimacy, particularly as they continue to present themselves as the sole authority in Afghanistan, committed to restoring peace and order.

This bombing incident sheds light on the deepening insecurity and instability within Afghanistan, which has become an incubator for extremist groups—both domestic and international. The Taliban’s failure to control ISKP and other militant organizations highlights a critical shortcoming in their governance. Despite the Taliban’s control of Kabul and most of Afghanistan, the group has struggled to eliminate or even effectively counter the various factions, particularly ISKP, that continue to challenge their rule.

Internal divisions within the Taliban leadership complicate their ability to present a unified front against external threats. The rifts between more moderate factions and hardliners create openings for ISKP to exploit, weakening the Taliban’s ability to maintain security. These internal fractures make it difficult for the Taliban to effectively combat terrorism while also managing the political and social demands of governing a country facing economic collapse and widespread poverty.

In addition to ISKP, Afghanistan continues to be home to a variety of extremist groups, many of which have transnational goals. From the Haqqani Network to Al-Qaeda remnants, these groups not only undermine the Taliban’s authority but also exacerbate the growing insecurity. For the Taliban, these challenges present a dual threat—one of managing internal instability while fending off external adversaries like ISKP, whose territorial ambitions are not just focused on Afghanistan but on spreading their ideology across the region.

For months, the Taliban has attempted to project an image of stability and control, touting the end of the U.S. occupation as the dawn of a new era for Afghanistan. However, ISKP’s repeated attacks—especially those targeting high-ranking Taliban officials—undermine this narrative. The killing of Khalil Haqqani is the latest in a series of ISKP-led assaults aimed directly at the Taliban’s leadership. These attacks are not only a testament to the group’s growing operational capacity but also a challenge to the Taliban’s legitimacy as the ruling authority in Afghanistan.

As the Taliban grapples with these threats, their credibility on the world stage continues to erode. The international community, which had hoped for a degree of stability and security following the U.S. withdrawal, is now witnessing the collapse of the Taliban’s narrative. The ongoing threat from ISKP and the Taliban’s inability to govern effectively presents a critical challenge for Afghanistan’s future and for regional security. Afghanistan, once again, finds itself at the mercy of competing forces, with no clear path to peace or stability.

While the Afghan government and certain officials frequently blame neighboring Pakistan for supporting terrorism within Afghanistan, incidents like the recent bombing expose a deeper and more complex reality: Afghanistan is quickly becoming the epicenter of global terrorism. The Taliban’s inability to control ISKP and other jihadist organizations operating within its borders is proof that Afghanistan remains a fertile ground for extremist groups, rather than a victim of foreign influence alone.

ISKP’s ability to carry out sophisticated and targeted attacks demonstrates that the group operates with a degree of autonomy not just from the Taliban, but from any outside intervention. The Afghan government’s claims of defeating terrorism in the region ring hollow when such attacks continue to take place with alarming regularity. This failure to exert control within its borders complicates any potential diplomatic engagement with the international community, which remains deeply concerned about Afghanistan’s status as a safe haven for terrorism.

The broader regional implications of Afghanistan’s insecurity are also significant. Pakistan, Iran, and Central Asian states remain at risk of being drawn into the growing instability, as extremist groups like ISKP seek to expand their influence across borders. The broader South Asian region faces an escalating security dilemma, with Afghanistan serving as a hotbed for militant activity.

The death of Khalil Haqqani is a stark illustration of the growing challenges facing Afghanistan under Taliban rule. The attack not only highlights the persistence and resilience of ISKP but also underscores the Taliban’s failure to provide basic security for its own leaders, let alone the Afghan population at large. As internal divisions within the Taliban deepen, and external threats continue to mount, Afghanistan’s future remains uncertain.

The international community must now confront a sobering reality: Afghanistan is unlikely to be a safe, stable nation any time soon. Rather, it is increasingly clear that the country is becoming a breeding ground for terrorism, with ISKP continuing to challenge the Taliban’s fragile hold on power. Until the Taliban can confront these threats effectively—something that seems unlikely in the near future—the specter of instability will loom large over Afghanistan and the broader region.

Haris Gul

Haris Gul is a student of BS International Relations at University of AJK.

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