The 38th UN Monitoring Team (UNMT) report has reaffirmed Afghanistan’s role as a permissive environment for multiple terrorist organisations, documenting the continued presence and activities of TTP, ISIL-K, AQIS and ETIM/TIP. The report states that the terrorist threat emanating from Afghanistan remains largely unchanged and that the Taliban authorities have been unable to suppress the terrorist problem.
TTP Continues Operating From Afghan Territory
The report documents continued Taliban support for Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as attacks against Pakistan escalated. TTP launched its “Operation Khyber” campaign and reportedly operated from Afghanistan. A February 16 attack in Bajaur eliminated 11 security personnel and one child. The Taliban subsequently relocated approximately 2,000 TTP fighters and their families deeper into Afghanistan, rather than dismantling the group.
AQIS and Al-Qaida Maintain Afghanistan Presence
The report says Al-Qaida’s status and strength in Afghanistan remained unchanged, while its leadership continued providing TTP with ideological guidance, training and support. One Member State also reported that BLA terrorists were trained alongside TTP by Al-Qaida trainers in Afghanistan.
The report further states that AQIS leadership reportedly remained in Kabul, with members issued tazkiras, suggesting close cooperation between the Taliban and AQIS. AQIS formed the backbone of Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan, which was reportedly responsible for attacks in Bannu, including a May 9 attack that eliminated 21 people.
ISIL-K, BLA and ETIM Networks
ISIL-K remains the greatest terrorist threat to the Taliban and the wider region. Despite counter-terrorism operations, it entered a rebuilding phase and retained the capability for high-profile mass-casualty attacks. The group reportedly possesses drones, night-vision equipment and thermal imagers, while maintaining training networks across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region.
Importantly, one Member State reported that ISIL-K and BLA shared facilitation networks for logistics. Separately, ETIM/TIP was reported to be reconcentrating in Badakhshan and Kunduz, while using an Al-Qaida-linked training camp in Barg-e Matal, Nuristan.
Afghan Weapons Stockpiles Fuel Terrorist Capabilities
The report also warns that large quantities of advanced weapons and military equipment remaining in Afghanistan continue to enable transfers to TTP and other groups. The proliferation of systems such as night-vision equipment has reportedly increased terrorist groups’ lethality.
Taken together, the UN findings point to a multilayered terrorist ecosystem inside Afghanistan, involving terrorist presence, training, logistics, leadership, weapons and cross-border operations. While the report acknowledges Taliban operations against ISIL-K, its central assessment remains clear: numerous terrorist groups continue to operate from Afghanistan, creating an enduring threat to neighbouring states and the wider region.
