Long term threat: ‘Militants gathering strength in Afghanistan’
UNSC reports says Taliban have enjoyed ‘bumper year’.
UNSC reports says Taliban have enjoyed ‘bumper year’. PHOTO: FILE
UNITED NATIONS:
Al Qaeda-linked networks pose a long-term security threat in Afghanistan, warned a UN Security Council report released on Friday.
“Despite the drawdown of NATO troops last year, al Qaeda affiliates Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi have been regularly participating in attacks on Afghan forces in eastern and southern Afghanistan,” the June report obtained by AFP stated.
The Security Council committee monitoring sanctions against the Taliban submitted the report after five visits to Afghanistan and extensive talks with the government and international forces.
In the north, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan ‘continues to gather strength’ among Afghans of Uzbek origin and operates in several provinces, the report said.
Afghan security forces in January twice reported the presence of Chechen fighters in Logar and Kabul provinces as well.
UN experts said this would have particular ramifications for South and Central Asia.
According to the report, the Taliban have also acquired more sophisticated improvised-explosive devices since last year.
Reports that more than 50 mid-level Taliban operatives were assassinated in January and February may be another sign of growing rivalry, the UN experts warned.
Financially, the Taliban have enjoyed a ‘bumper year’, the report said, collecting millions of dollars from drugs, illegal mining, corruption and extortion.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 15th, 2014.
Al Qaeda-linked networks pose a long-term security threat in Afghanistan, warned a UN Security Council report released on Friday.
“Despite the drawdown of NATO troops last year, al Qaeda affiliates Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi have been regularly participating in attacks on Afghan forces in eastern and southern Afghanistan,” the June report obtained by AFP stated.
The Security Council committee monitoring sanctions against the Taliban submitted the report after five visits to Afghanistan and extensive talks with the government and international forces.
In the north, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan ‘continues to gather strength’ among Afghans of Uzbek origin and operates in several provinces, the report said.
Afghan security forces in January twice reported the presence of Chechen fighters in Logar and Kabul provinces as well.
UN experts said this would have particular ramifications for South and Central Asia.
According to the report, the Taliban have also acquired more sophisticated improvised-explosive devices since last year.
Reports that more than 50 mid-level Taliban operatives were assassinated in January and February may be another sign of growing rivalry, the UN experts warned.
Financially, the Taliban have enjoyed a ‘bumper year’, the report said, collecting millions of dollars from drugs, illegal mining, corruption and extortion.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 15th, 2014.