Terrorism

Central Asian security at risk as ISIS-K increases regional presence

By Muhammad Qasem

An ISIS-K member poses next to artillery shells in a picture posted with the terrorist group's claim of an April 18, 2022, attack in Uzbekistan. [File]

An ISIS-K member poses next to artillery shells in a picture posted with the terrorist group's claim of an April 18, 2022, attack in Uzbekistan. [File]

KABUL -- The "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" Khorasan branch (ISIS-K) is ramping up recruitment efforts in neighboring countries, aiming to extend its influence across Central Asia, analysts and former Afghan military officials warn.

The group is recruiting in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran and Pakistan as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region, they said.

ISIS-K has expanded its operations in the northern, eastern and western regions of Afghanistan, as well as the border areas of neighboring countries, said Col. Rafiullah Mohammadi, a former Afghan military officer now living in Austria.

ISIS-K's objective is to heighten regional instability, said Mohammadi, who previously headed an intelligence unit in Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS).

"Their goal is to use these recruits to play a larger role in undermining the security of neighboring countries, especially in Central Asia," he told Salaam Times.

The number of Tajik, Uzbek and Pakistani nationals in ISIS-K has increased, and ISIS-K has stationed these individuals along the borders of their respective countries, according to Muhammadi.

In particular, he said, ISIS-K is seeking more Pakistani insurgents by targeting dissatisfied members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The group has increased its recruitment efforts among the growing number of illegal migrants in Iran who lack stable income.

"ISIS-K has exploited the economic hardships and vulnerabilities of Afghan migrants in Iran by recruiting some of them," Muhammadi said. "The recent terrorist attacks in Kerman and Shiraz, Iran, carried out by ISIS-K, have heightened these concerns."

Growing threats

"The core of ISIS-K is made up of foreign [militants], individuals who, dissatisfied with other [militant] groups, have pledged allegiance to ISIS," said Mohammad Omar Sharifi, an Afghan political analyst based in Ankara, Türkiye.

"The leadership of ISIS continues to seek out discontented Uzbek fighters and, through their presence, aims to extend ISIS activities into Central Asia," he told Salaam Times, adding that about 2,000 Uzbek militants have joined ISIS-K.

Afghans are concerned that Afghanistan has become a training ground for terrorist groups because of the political vacuum in the country.

The recruitment of Afghans and foreign nationals by ISIS has caused greater concern among the Afghan people than ever before, said Abdul Raqib Islami, 37, a resident of Mazar-e-Sharif.

"The [Kabul] government must identify and dismantle ISIS-K's logistical planning and supply networks, which are spread across various locations and result in complex and sophisticated attacks," he told Salaam Times.

"ISIS-K has a foreign agenda, and if this group gains more strength, it will pose a greater threat to the region," Islami said.

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The BRICS member countries want to create a system for settling international trade transactions based on the digital currencies of their central banks called mBridge. In addition to that: BRICS countries want to create a Credit Card called BRICS PAY that individuals and institutions can use for daily purchases of goods and services in all member countries. The BRICS countries want to create an exchange center for food, agricultural and mineral raw materials so that they won't need to determine the prices of materials by the western markets. BRICS countries want to create an international insurance system to insure the commercial transportation services of their countries. The BRICS countries have created the New Development Bank, which is headquartered in Shanghai, to finance infrastructure projects in the economies of the countries of the Global South or the Southern Sub Continent. In this way, by creating these infrastructures, the United States and European countries will not be able to freeze the currency reserves of countries that do not agree with their policies, or impose penalties on commercial transactions. Do you know where all these infrastructures will be located? In China or in Brazil or in Russia. Do you know where China is? Just a few mountains away and 300 kilometers from the center of Badakhshan, Afghanistan, but it is like a neighbor who is blind in eyes, deaf in ears and lame with legs. This country did not help us during the 45 years occupation of the Sovi

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ISIS is just a claim. In fact, this group is no more than a net of the intelligence agencies of Pakistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. What is very important and is harmful and dangerous compared to ISIS is the day to day expansion of China. I condemn China and its policies because on one hand, this country has not provided any financial aid to our country during the foreign and internal wars of Afghanistan, and on the other hand, it wants to destroy us and the countries of the region, and throw them into its financial black hole from which it will be impossible to get out. Do you know that the BRICS member countries (in fact China) are creating the foundations of a BRICS international financial system so that their foreign trade become safe from the attack of the United States and European countries. What is required for this? 1. currency other than Dollar, Euro and British pound, 2. the authority or the reserve bank that clears the transactions, 3. money transfer system between banks, 4. Insurance companies that are not affiliated with the West and are able to insure commercial cargo and transportation equipment such as oil tankers, container ships, and airplanes. For this purpose, BRICS member countries are trying to create effective alternatives in these fields so that they would not depend on the United States and its partners. In this system, the creation of a monetary unit is included for foreign trade transactions, which will depend 40% on gold and 60% on the exchange rate

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