Afghanistan Peace Campaign
The UN Office of Counter-Terrorism’s Director, Vladimir Voronkov, stated in a Security Council meeting that ISIS-K remains a serious threat to Afghanistan, the region, and the world. Reports show that foreign terrorists are traveling to Afghanistan.
Voronkov emphasized that ISIS-K not only conducts attacks within Afghanistan but also orchestrates attacks in Europe through its supporters. The group continues to be a global security concern.
He added that ISIS is still recruiting new members from Central Asian countries, despite international and regional efforts to counter its spread. The organization’s activities persist, undermining global stability.
In his address, Voronkov also highlighted the situation in Syria after Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapse. He warned that the ongoing instability in Syria could facilitate the growth of ISIS, with tens of thousands of ISIS members and their families still in camps in northwest Syria.
Voronkov further stated that over 700 Iraqi citizens, hundreds of Syrians, and 8,600 foreign nationals are held in camps and prisons. He noted the slow process of repatriating ISIS prisoners, with only 760 individuals returned to Iraq so far.
ISIS continues to be a serious threat worldwide, with its reach expanding beyond Afghanistan and the Middle East. This highlights the importance of global cooperation to dismantle the group’s networks and prevent further violence.
The challenges of dealing with ISIS also include managing the return of its members and ensuring their accountability. The UN’s efforts in facilitating the return of foreign nationals from camps in Syria have yet to achieve significant progress. Further diplomatic efforts are essential to address these issues and reduce the group’s influence globally.
In addition to the growing number of recruits in Central Asia, ISIS’s attacks in regions like West Africa serve as a reminder of the group’s global ambitions. This reinforces the need for sustained international action to tackle ISIS at all levels.