A senior UN official has sounded the alarm over the growing strength of Daesh’s Khorasan branch, also known as ISIS-K, highlighting it as a major threat capable of launching attacks beyond Afghanistan’s borders.
The group, now considered “the greatest external terrorist threat” to Europe, is ramping up efforts to recruit and enhance its capabilities, according to the official.
Addressing the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, Vladimir Voronkov, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, pointed out two concerning trends that have emerged since his last briefing six months ago. “Regrettably, two of the threats we’ve been closely monitoring have now materialized,” Voronkov stated.
The first of these is ISIS-K’s growing ability to conduct terrorist attacks abroad. He referenced the deadly March attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow, which killed 145 people. Voronkov noted that the group has “enhanced its financial and logistical capabilities over the past six months, partly through support from the Afghan and Central Asian diaspora,” and has “intensified its recruitment activities.”
This escalating threat has raised alarms across Europe, where ISIS-K is now seen as the most significant external terrorist danger. The latest report by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, released in late July, echoes these concerns, especially with major international events like the ongoing Paris Olympic Games and the upcoming Euro 2024 football tournament on the horizon.
Voronkov urged all UN member states to take coordinated action to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a global hub for terrorist activities. “It is crucial that Afghanistan does not once again become a breeding ground for terrorism,” he said.
In addition to the rising threat from ISIS-K, Voronkov warned of a resurgence of ISIS’s central structure in the Middle East. The group has claimed responsibility for attacks carried out by its Afghan branch, using these incidents as part of a broader propaganda effort. The official also reported an increase in ISIS operations in Syria.
“Continued counterterrorism efforts are vital to prevent ISIS from exploiting these developments,” Voronkov emphasized.
He also expressed concerns about the growing influence of ISIS-affiliated groups across Africa, particularly in West Africa and the Sahel region. These groups have “expanded and consolidated their operational areas,” and if left unchecked, a vast territory from Mali to northern Nigeria could fall under their control. Voronkov also highlighted the strengthening of ISIS affiliates in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia as areas of concern.
As the UN continues to monitor these developments, there is an urgent need for global cooperation to address the expanding reach of ISIS and its affiliates.
