WASHINGTON (Khaama Press): The spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, Patrick Ryder, stated on Tuesday that the U.S. is closely monitoring the activities of terrorist groups, including ISIS, within and around Afghanistan.
Ryder said, “We are certainly continuing to monitor the threats emanating from Afghanistan. Various terrorist groups, including ISIS, are active in Afghanistan and surrounding countries.”
The Pentagon spokesperson mentioned that the U.S. employs various capabilities to monitor these groups’ activities without naming any specific country. He added, “We will continue our counterterrorism efforts in cooperation with our regional partners.”
Previously, U.S. officials had referred to their contacts with Pakistan in combating terrorist groups.
The Pentagon has repeatedly emphasized its aerial surveillance capabilities to address concerns from critics of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, who argue that the absence of American troops has created an environment for terrorist groups to resurge.
Concerns about the expansion of terrorist activities, particularly by ISIS in Afghanistan, have increased. These concerns have intensified following ISIS Khorasan’s attacks on Iran and Russia.
The Taliban has frequently protested against U.S. drone flights over Afghanistan, denying the presence of terrorist groups and stating that they would not allow any group to launch attacks on other countries from Afghanistan soil.
Earlier, the UN Deputy Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism emphasized that ISIS Khorasan’s financial and logistical capabilities have improved.
Some U.S. officials believe that the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan has strengthened these groups and limited the U.S.’s ability to gather intelligence on terrorist threats from Afghanistan.
As the third anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan approaches, the international community’s concerns about the resurgence of terrorist groups in the region continue to grow. The U.S. remains vigilant, employing surveillance and partnerships to mitigate these threats.
The evolving security situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule has prompted renewed discussions on how to address the risks posed by terrorist organizations effectively. The international community is closely watching how the Taliban will manage these threats amid increasing regional instability.
