![Afghans mourn at a burial ceremony after a gunman attacked a mosque in Guzara district, Herat province, on April 30. ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack, which killed six people. [Mohsen Karimi/AFP]](/cnmi_st/images/2024/06/27/46943-afp__20240430__34qg9tq__v1__highres__afghanistanmosqueattack-739_416.webp)
KABUL -- A majority of Afghans are concerned about recent attacks carried out by the Khorasan branch of the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS-K), an online poll conducted by Salaam Times shows.
Out of more than 3,500 responses between May 31 and June 26, over 65% said they are "very" concerned and over 10% said they were "a little" concerned about recent ISIS attacks and activities in Afghanistan.
Just under 13% said they were "not at all" concerned.
Poll respondents came from almost all provinces of Afghanistan. To see the poll results or to vote, click here.
![A majority of Salaam Times poll respondents between May 31 and June 26 said they were concerned about ISIS attacks in Afghanistan. [Salaam Times]](/cnmi_st/images/2024/06/27/46957-dari_poll-739_416.webp)
A majority of Salaam Times poll respondents between May 31 and June 26 said they were concerned about ISIS attacks in Afghanistan. [Salaam Times]
Public concern
Readers on Salaam Times' social media accounts denounced ISIS's recent attacks.
Mohammad Hashemi, a resident of Ghor province, expressed concern about ISIS activities in his province, stating that the group frequently kills innocent Afghans.
"In recent years, Shia citizens in Ghor province have repeatedly been targeted by ISIS attacks," he wrote on Facebook.
ISIS is attempting to sow division through its attacks, said Kabul resident Mohammad Bahir. However, he emphasized that Afghans are aware of these efforts and that ISIS's attempts have failed.
Mohammad Wali Shah, from Khost province, agreed.
"ISIS is an enemy of Afghanistan and carries out these attacks to create division and insecurity," Wali Shah wrote.
Mohammad Nozadi from Kandahar said that individuals who assault and shed blood for ISIS must be punished.
Increasing threats
ISIS-K carried out six attacks in Afghanistan between February 28 and May 15, the United Nations said in a June 13 report.
These attacks, which have claimed dozens of lives, occurred in Kabul, Herat and Kandahar provinces.
The increase in ISIS's terrorism in Afghanistan has raised concern in the international community.
Representatives of several countries at a special session of the United Nations Security Council June 21 described ISIS activities in Afghanistan as a serious threat to global security.
Hamza Baloch, a military analyst in Nimroz province, said ISIS's threats in Afghanistan have escalated and that the group must be stopped.
"Recent ISIS attacks indicate that this group has increased its infiltration in certain parts of the country," he told Salaam Times. "The threat posed by ISIS cannot be ignored, and measures must be taken to curb its activities."
"ISIS is able to launch complex and dangerous attacks, and has repeatedly targeted civilians," he said. "If ISIS threats are not contained, the group will likely escalate."
