US, allies keep focus on countering terrorist activity in Afghanistan

The United States and its allies are working with "relentless focus" to address the global threat posed by extremist groups based in Afghanistan, which are striving to expand their activities in the country.

The "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria"'s Khorasan branch (ISIS-K) has carried out a series of deadly bombings in Kabul, while the group and its rival al-Qaeda are pursuing drones and other types of advanced weaponry.

"We know that we can't turn a blind eye to the threats from organizations such as ISIS-K and that we must keep a relentless focus on counterterrorism... and we're doing that," Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said August 27.

In addition to ISIS-K, "many other terror groups ... are resident right now in Afghanistan," Ryder said.

"We're working closely with the intelligence community, as well as to deepen our cooperation with allies and partners to address evolving threats," he said.

Intelligence sharing among allies, along with other types of collaboration, has disrupted attacks by groups like ISIS-K, he said, and authorities have arrested would-be terrorists before they could carry out their plans.

The United Nations in July warned of the increasing activities of some groups in Afghanistan, including ISIS-K and al-Qaeda, and their potential threat to global security.

Global security at risk

Afghans who spoke to Salaam Times welcomed the US commitment to monitoring the activities of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, but some said surveillance alone would not suffice.

The international community must take further steps "to destroy the nests of terrorism, including ISIS-K, in Afghanistan and the region," Nimroz-based military analyst Hamza Baloch told Salaam Times.

"The more ISIS-K is suppressed in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the more security threats will decrease, not only in the region but globally," Baloch said.

"Given the growth of ISIS-K over the past three years in Afghanistan, the time has come to seriously fight this terrorist group," he said.

The lack of vigorous action against ISIS-K has enabled the group to threaten global security from Afghanistan, Herat-based political analyst Mirwais Haqpana told Salaam Times.

"Military operations against ISIS-K and other terrorist groups on Afghan territory must begin as soon as possible," he said.

Combating ISIS-K and other extremist groups is a global necessity, Herat province activist Paiman Alizada told Salaam Times.

"Until the safe havens of terrorists like ISIS-K and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan are destroyed, global security remains at risk," he said.

"The attacks by ISIS-K in Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and other countries demonstrate that this terrorist group is an enemy to everyone," Alizada said.