Will Taliban Deal with Daeesh ?

In Blog, Human Security
November 5, 2021
Fatima Nawaz
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Over the last two decades or so Afghanistan has been a playground for foreign troops, non-state militias, and the Taliban. Non-state actors gained a foothold in the region long before the fall of the civilian Government of Afghanistan, however they remained relatively dormant until recent times. Towards the end of the US’ stay in Afghanistan,

Over the last two decades or so Afghanistan has been a playground for foreign troops, non-state militias, and the Taliban. Non-state actors gained a foothold in the region long before the fall of the civilian Government of Afghanistan, however they remained relatively dormant until recent times. Towards the end of the US’ stay in Afghanistan, the region saw an influx of armed militants, which posed a threat to security of the entire region. The Taliban have since then tried to appease the neighboring countries. However, the international community remains wary of the ways of the Taliban and their ability to control non-state actors at large specifically Islamic State also known as Daeesh.

The Trump administration during the Doha agreement, promised for the complete withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan by May 2021. In August 2021, the agreement came to its culmination, when along with the withdrawal of US troops the civilian government of Afghanistan also failed to maintain its position in the region. During this political turmoil, the Afghan Taliban were able to bring forth some form of governance and control; although the legitimacy of this governance is debatable.

With limited to no international support and recognition for the Taliban government, along with lack of funding, Afghanistan is far from being in a stable position. This political and economic instability within Afghanistan is constantly providing opportunities to the non-state actors, to exploit these weaknesses and further their own agendas.

Daesh (Islamic state), is now one the foremost players in the region. It first emerged in Afghanistan in 2014, in the Nangarhar and Kajaki districts of Helmand province. By 2015 they adopted a violent strategy, with clear ambitions of setting up an Islamic State within the regions. The US violently opposed their rise through drone strikes however with US troops leaving Afghanistan Daeesh once again rose to power.

On 26 August 2021, suicide bombings at the Hamid Karzai International airport, carried out by IS-K, which left 170 civilians and 13 US soldiers dead in its wake. Followed by a targeted attack on a Taliban patrol vehicle in Jalalabad which left 3 dead. Increasing attacks by Daesh are a concern not only for the Taliban but also for neighboring states, there is a chance that both groups might come face to face which would lead to civil insurgency.

Two major attacks on Shia mosques in Kandahar and Kunduz killed 47 to 46 people respectively. This has led to concerns of targeted sectarian violence, amongst the Shia community of Afghanistan as well as the neighboring countries. Recently, they have started targeting high profile Taliban leadership in its attacks as well.

Threat of Daesh’s strong foothold in Afghanistan is not exclusive to Afghanistan only, neighboring countries like Pakistan are also at the receiving end of violent attacks. Keeping in sight the attacks carried out by IS-K, the entire region’s security is threatened. Internationally, the General secretary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Vladimir Norov, has expressed his concern over the deteriorating security situation of the region, also mentioning that the number of armed militias in the north are increasing.

In response to these concerns, Afghan foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, ensured that Afghan soil would never be used by anyone to threaten the security of another country. Followed by the deputy prime minister, Abdul Salam Hanafi, raising concerns for the isolation of the country, stating that it is in ‘no one’s interest’, and important for the stability of the region. Hence, it clarifies the Afghan narrative which is of the view that international support would be beneficial for the Taliban government in fighting off these insurgents as well as dealing with current domestic crises.

The future seems bleak, as the Taliban are already in a tight spot as it is, facing off the well-armed and funded group of IS-K would be detrimental for the region. However, efforts are being made by neighboring countries including Russia to help the country rebuild and form a stable governance. On 20th October 2021, Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Iran and formerly Soviet Central Asian states Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan joined hands with the Taliban in calling for the UN to help the country in facing the economic crisis as well as the impending humanitarian catastrophe.

However, if the threats are not taken seriously, it would have grave consequences for the entire region and have a spillover effect on all neighboring countries. The essential idea is to not give the insurgents an opportunity to exploit the current predicament. Which brings forth the idea that IS-K is becoming a threat not only for the Taliban government but also a concern for the US. If IS-K is a common enemy amongst the US and the Taliban, would there be a chance of collaboration between the two to ensure regional peace and security.

There is a high chance that the Taliban would continue to face isolation from the west. In an attempt to fend for themselves with almost no support, it is almost inevitable that the non-state actors like IS-K would not further try to strengthen themselves and gain a strong domestic foothold. A civil war like situation is possible, which would reel in factions from Pakistan, Iran, central Asian countries, as well as Iraq and Syria. Arguably, the desired solution would be to encourage the Taliban government to form a semblance of legitimate government, and then tackling the issues that give way to insurgents to carry out their activities.