The armed resistance to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan

  • Shaul Shay Institute for National and International Security, Tel Aviv
Keywords: ISIS – K, Taliban, attacks, suicide bomber, Caliphate, Emirate, Mosque

Abstract

Research Paper

DOI: 10.37458/ssj.2.2.1

The main violent threat to the Taliban regime comes from the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) armed group, but the Taliban regime will also have to deal with armed resistance from ethnic groups in Afghanistan that already feel threatened by the new regime. ISIS – K presents a serious challenge to the Taliban's regime in Afghanistan as the group operates in cells across the country. ISIS – K doesn't possess the capabilities to overthrow the Taliban government. Still, they can damage the credibility of the Taliban, which has claimed that it is the only group that can bring peace and stability to the country. The ethnic groups (the Shia Hazara and Uzbek and Tajik ethnic groups) are already under pressure in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. These groups that in the 1990s formed the "Northern Alliance" that fought against the Taliban are organizing to defend themselves against Islamic State attacks and Taliban persecution and in the future could become a significantly armed opposition to the Taliban regime.

References

The Taliban and Isis: Relationship and difference between them explained and what it means for Afghanistan.

Ibid.

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Ibid.

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Literature & Sources

Afghanistan: dozens killed in a suicide bombing at Kunduz Mosque, Al Jazeera. October 8, 2021.

Afghanistan: Mosque in Nangarhar province hit by the Blast, Al Jazeera, November 12, 2021.

Afghan resistance has sanctuary in Tajikistan but fighting Taliban is a 'non-viable prospect,' France 24, October 4, 2021.

Afghanistan: Several dead as blasts rock Jalalabad and Kabul, Al Jazeera, September 19, 2021.

Afghan spies and soldiers turn to ISIS after U.S. exit: Reports, Al Arabiya, November 2, 2021.

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Afghanistan: Taliban leader warns of infiltrators, Al Jazeera, November 4, 2021.

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At least three killed in Blast at Afghanistan mosque, Al Arabiya, November 12, 2021.

At least 100 dead, wounded in Afghan mosque blast: Taliban official, Al Arabiya, October8, 2021.

Blast targeting Kabul Mosque leaves 'a number of civilians dead,' Taliban spokesman says, CNN, October 4, 2021.

Bomb hits mosque in Afghanistan, wounds at least 15: Taliban, The New Arab, November 12, 2021.

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By 2020, ISIS-K's estimated membership was reduced to between 1,500 and 2,200.

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Deadly explosion hits Shia Mosque in Afghanistan's Kandahar, Al Jazeera, October 15, 2021.

Deadly explosion targets memorial service near Kabul Mosque, Al Jazeera, October 3, 2021.

Examining extremism: Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), September 8, 2021.

Explainer: can the Taliban suppress the potent ISIS threat in Afghanistan? Al Arabiya, October 12, 2021.

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ISIS claims responsibility for mosque attack in the Afghan city of Kandahar, Al Arabiya, October 15, 2021.

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Sayed Jalal Shajjan, how IS-K's resurgence in Afghanistan threatens the Taliban's grip on power, November 15, 2021.

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Published
2021-12-19