The United Nation’ Security Council (UNSC)’sanalytical support and sanctions monitoring teamin its latest report held that the son of slain terrorist Osama Bin Laden, Abdullah, visited Afghanistan in October 2021 for “meetings” with the Taliban, reports Hasht-e- Subh on February 7. Further, the report also stated that foreign terrorist groups ranging from al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) enjoy greater freedom in Afghanistan than any other time in recent years.
Further,the UNSC report, further provides crucial details of Al-Qaeda affiliates and the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP), reports The Print. “[Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent] retains a presence in Afghanistan, in the provinces of Ghazni, Helmand, Kandahar, Nimruz, Paktika and Zabul, where the group fought alongside the Taliban against the ousted government. AQIS is estimated to have between 200 and 400 fighters, mainly from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar and Pakistan.” Also, former IS-KP leaderAslam Farooqi, had “escaped” from an Afghanistan prison and “subsequently rejoined the group in a senior capacity”.
Meanwhile, reacting to the report, the Islamic Emirate said the report lacks evidence on February 7, adds Tolo News. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan strongly rejects recent report by the UNSC Monitoring Team asserting an increase of foreign groups in Afghanistan. The Islamic Emirate deems such reports lacking evidence, documents and addresses neither in the interest of Afghanistan, the region or the world,” the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA)’s Foreign Ministry.