Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban Foreign Minister Taliban has accused three neighboring countries of Afghanistan of aiding the expansion of ISIS-Khorasan. Without disclosing the names of the countries, Muttaqi asserted that one provides personnel to ISIS, another facilitates communication, and the third serves as a base for the group.

Recent reports from the United Nations and the United States have highlighted a notable surge in ISIS-Khorasan activities following the Taliban’s resurgence to authority. Muttaqi’s claims emerge amidst a backdrop of escalating ISIS assaults in the vicinity.

He expressed, “Regrettably, three neighboring countries are involved in preparing ISIS operatives, allowing the passage of destructive elements, and offering support, funding, and coordination for their operations. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensuring stability in Afghanistan and the broader region.”

Although Muttaqi refrained from explicitly naming the countries, his remarks seem linked to a recent incident in Moscow involving individuals from Tajikistan. Notably, previous accusations by the Taliban have implicated Pakistan for harboring ISIS, a nation historically known for sheltering Taliban members.

Furthermore, Muttaqi emphasized that a significant proportion of attacks in Afghanistan are orchestrated from overseas. Despite the Taliban’s persistent denial of ISIS presence, former Afghan security officials, along with U.S. senators and military personnel, have noted a rise in ISIS-Khorasan’s activities since the Taliban’s resurgence.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson, Mito Miller, emphasized the concern over ISIS-Khorasan’s potential for terrorism and highlighted collaborative efforts with allies to counter this threat. Recent ISIS attacks from Kandahar to Kabul, Iran, and Russia in early 2024 have instigated security apprehensions in the region.