Escalating Internal Conflicts: Tensions Rising Between TTP and ISKP in Afghanistan
In a recent twist in the complex landscape of terrorism in Afghanistan, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) has openly criticized and targeted the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in a video release. This marks a significant departure from ISKP’s previous focus on criticizing the Afghan Taliban and occasionally Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUIF), a Pakistani religious political party.
The question that arises is whether ISKP now perceives the TTP as a threat. An intriguing development is the growing perception that ISKP is considering TTP as an integral part of the Afghan Taliban.
With both ISKP and TTP maintaining a presence in the Nangarhar and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan, former strongholds of ISKP, possibility of a wave of infighting between the two groups exists.
The crucial question emerges: Will the Afghan Taliban throw its weight behind the TTP in a potential conflict against ISKP?
Furthermore, analysts ponder the objectives that ISKP aims to achieve by openly challenging the TTP and whether TTP is acting on directives from the Afghan Taliban.
Recent 33rd UNSC monitoring report hints at Taliban assigning TTP the tasks of assassination of defectors to ISKP.
The presence of ISKP and other terrorist groups on Afghan soil poses a significant threat to regional security, with neighboring countries being direct targets of their attacks.
Recent examples include attacks by ISKP and TTP in Pakistan, targeting Pakistani security forces and civilians before and during the poll day.
ISKP carried out attacks in the Pishin and Qilla Saifullah areas of Balochistan, on election offices of candidates, resulting in the loss of over 25 lives.
Simultaneously, the TTP targeted Pakistani police in Dera Ismail Khan, leading to the killings of policemen.
Meanwhile, Pakistani security forces reported successful operations against high-value ISKP targets, having links in Afghanistan.
Notably, Surat Gul, a prominent ISKP commander, featured in their videos on Afghan soil slaining Afghan security officials, was eliminated in a tribal district by Pakistani security forces.
Another significant operation reported by Pakistani security forces against ISKP was the elimination of Abu Hamza Khurasani in Balochistan, who reportedly returned to Qila Saifullah after spending years in Zabul, Afghanistan.
https://twitter.com/zarrar_11PK/status/1758048941709369721?t=UDfnSYQ_8p6l-OO3gzJMQQ&s=19