Afghanistan Peace Campaign
The American media outlet Drop Site News has reported, citing sources, that the U.S. military is considering launching a large-scale military operation against ISIS-affiliated groups in Afghanistan. Discussions regarding the scope and strategy of this operation are currently underway.
According to the report, Pakistan’s military hopes this action will encourage the United States to reestablish itself as a counterterrorism ally and strategic partner in the region. This comes amid Pakistan’s ongoing political crisis, where the military is trying to persuade the Tehreek-e-Insaf party to distance itself from former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Pakistan’s military believes that resolving internal political conflicts will help it gain necessary support for intensifying military operations in Afghanistan. Sources suggest that the proposed operation could include both airstrikes and large-scale ground assaults, increasing tensions in the region.
To secure Washington’s support, the Pakistani military has emphasized the growing ISIS threat in Afghanistan. General Shamshad Mirza, a senior Pakistani official, recently warned in a British think tank event that uncontrolled terrorist groups in Afghanistan could lead to larger attacks beyond the region.
Pakistan launched the “Azm-e-Istehkam” (Resolve for Stability) operation this year to combat terrorism. This initiative includes both military reinforcements and diplomatic efforts to limit terrorist operations through regional cooperation, signaling a broader counterterrorism framework.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister stated in July that the country plans to conduct airstrikes inside Afghanistan as part of its new campaign against militants. He emphasized that these strikes would target groups responsible for attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians, increasing cross-border tensions with the Taliban-led government.
Relations between Pakistan and the Taliban have significantly deteriorated due to recent security incidents. In December last year, Pakistan’s military carried out airstrikes in Barmal district, Paktika province, killing 46 people. While the Taliban claimed the victims were civilians, Pakistan insisted the strikes targeted Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants.
This situation has fueled concerns that Afghanistan could once again become a safe haven for global terrorist groups. The U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) recently reported that the UN and regional countries are increasingly worried about Afghanistan becoming a terrorist hub, with some groups allegedly aiming to expand threats globally.
While the Taliban denies ISIS’s presence in Afghanistan, dismissing reports as exaggerated, the UN Security Council’s monitoring team stated in January that ISIS-K has strengthened its financial and logistical capabilities, making it the biggest security threat to Europe. The Taliban, however, insists it has effectively neutralized ISIS within Afghanistan.
This ongoing conflict highlights the growing geopolitical tensions in South Asia and the risk of renewed Western military involvement in the region. The coming months could see increased military confrontations, diplomatic standoffs, and shifting alliances, as regional powers assess their security strategies in response to emerging threats.