Daesh Khorasan: Envisioning a long battle
DAESH-Khorasan also known as Islamic State of Khorasan (IS-K) is all set to fight a long battle in Afghanistan.
The strategy this terrorist outfit has adopted is similar to what Taliban used against US and NATO forces and former Afghan government in last two decades.
The offensive nature of IS-K was quite evident once this terrorist group attached Kabul airport on 26 August 2021 while it was still under the control of American forces.
Thereafter, there have been scores of terrorist attacks conducted and claimed by IS-K in various parts of Afghanistan.
The last act of IS-K terrorism was an attack on military hospital in capital Kabul, killing over 23 people and wounded more than fifty.
The Afghan Taliban had only one agenda; the expulsion of foreign forces from Afghanistan in their fight against US and NATO forces in last two decades.
Somehow, it was a legitimate fight against foreign occupation of Afghanistan which Taliban won after hectic fight.
The IS-K on the other hand has a larger agenda which include; gradual reduction of Taliban’s influence in Afghanistan, establishing the bases for its terrorist activities within Afghanistan and extending its terrorist activities beyond Afghan borders; Central Asian region, Russia, China and Pakistan.
The series of deadly attacks by IS-K in Afghanistan can be observed from four key aspects. One, Taliban Government has been found wanting in controlling the terrorists attacks of IS-K despite their total control over entire Afghanistan.
Two, IS-K is gaining strength and impetus in Afghanistan with each passing day after Taliban take-over in August 2021.
Three, the concern of regional countries are increasing with the passage of time about the terrorist activities of IS-K in Afghanistan.
Four, United States is pursuing Pakistan for the use of its aerial space to counter the terrorist activities of IS-K in Afghanistan.
All these aspects need a systematic and logical analysis with future prospects and implications for Pakistan in particular and region in general.
Compared to 1996 take-over of Afghanistan by Taliban, the 2021 take-over was more peaceful, effective and all inclusive.
In fact, it was a total control of Afghanistan by Taliban including Northern Afghanistan; the Mazâr-i-Sharîf which posed a great threat to Taliban rule during the previous Taliban rule.
The dynamics of this take over could have been utilized positively for accruing the maximum benefits including security control of the country.
Nevertheless, the developments taking place in Afghanistan after the Taliban take over in August 2021 are equivocal, slow and indecisive.
All these unappealing indicators are being used by IS-K for advancing its influence through fear and extreme level of terrorism in the country.
The weaknesses or otherwise internal discord of Taliban is being exploited by IS-K for its own advantages by terrorizing the Afghan masses.
Killing of chief military strategist of Taliban, Qari Hamdullah Mohlis by IS-K assailant during the attack on Sardar Dawood Military Hospital in capital Kabul was a big blow for Taliban Government.
Practically, this attack is being viewed as a big threat for the future of Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
The security experts are of the view that, if Taliban are unable to control the capital city from the terrorist acts of IS-K, controlling far-flung areas having various ethnic, sectarian, political and tribal divide will be a difficult proposition.
The Afghan masses on the other hand are rapidly losing their trust, since their safety and security is at high risk.
Since the take-over of Taliban, the Afghan masses are facing severe food shortages and their economic management.
The foreign aid is almost suspended and Taliban Government has no means to provide them the basic necessities.
While the Taliban have been found wanting to satisfy the masses, Daesh (IS-K) is gaining strength and impetus in Afghanistan through its terrorism.
IS-K militants are heavily armed with modern sophisticated war munitions, which is available to none other than NATO and US armies.
Apparently, IS-K is proliferating only one agenda; the Caliphate as they did in Middle East. Indeed, this is a fake agenda, the terrorist organization is propagating.
In reality this terrorist outfit is being used as an instrument by those who created it following the invasion of Iraqi in 2003.
About the creation of Daesh, the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair admitted in an interview with CNN that the Iraq War “helped give rise” to Daesh. In a way, it was an indirect acceptance of Daesh by its co-creator.
“A top U.S. military commander, Gen. Wesley Clark, who served as a supreme allied commander of NATO, confessed to U.S. blunders in the Middle East and beyond.”
Indeed, these are the strategies of US Deep State for gaining wider control over the geostrategic and geo-economic hot spots of the world.
It is worth mentioning that, ISIS did not attack or killed any Israeli and US soldiers in the Arab world in its entire campaign of reviving the Caliphate in the Middle East.
All killed in Middle East at hands of ISIS were practicing innocent Muslims not even the Muslim elites of Arab monarchies.
The Daesh-Khorasan; IS-K is the extension of ISIS also called ISIL. Therefore, its agenda should be clear to Taliban and all regional states, adjoining Afghanistan.
The regional countries, contiguous to Afghanistan must work out a strategy to engage and assist Taliban Government through a phased programme of de fecto-recognition of Taliban Government and its economic support.
These countries must enable Taliban to defeat the IS-K before it establishes its stronghold on Afghan soil for fighting a long battle in and around Afghanistan.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
