The growing influence of international militant groups in Afghanistan has emerged as a serious challenge for regional security, with a recent report by Foreign Policy highlighting an alleged nexus between the Afghan Taliban regime and extremist factions.
According to the American journal, a militant outfit described as an ally of Al-Qaeda shares deep ideological alignment with the Afghan Taliban, reinforcing concerns about the country becoming a safe haven for extremist networks. The report suggests that these groups operate with significant coordination and ideological harmony.
An estimated 30,000 to 35,000 fighters linked to various militant organisations are said to be active along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, posing a major threat primarily targeting the Pakistani state and its institutions.
Citing a recent United Nations report, Foreign Policy noted that around 6,000 fighters belonging to one such group are currently based in Afghanistan, alongside operatives from more than a dozen affiliated factions.
The report further alleged that militant leaders, including Noor Wali Mehsud, have received logistical support, operational space and financial assistance from the Afghan Taliban.
A former senior Afghan security official warned that the current situation could turn Afghanistan into a battleground for competing militant groups, each seeking territorial control.
He cautioned that the country risks descending into a conflict resembling Syria, with the Taliban regime potentially playing a role similar to that of Bashar al-Assad’s government.
Experts believe the findings of the report underscore the growing dominance of militant networks in Afghanistan and the alleged state backing they receive, posing a significant threat to regional peace.
Reporter: Ahmad Mansoor