On Monday, Russia’s Ambassador to the United Nations stated at a Security Council meeting that the rise of ISIS-Khorasan’s activities in Afghanistan is not coincidental or without cause.

He highlighted that the international community had not adequately addressed the access terrorist groups like ISIS have to leftover American weapons in Afghanistan.

Vasily Nebenzya pointed out that NATO’s hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan resulted in many weapons being left behind, which ended up in the hands of ISIS. He emphasized that this situation should not be overlooked.

The Russian ambassador also claimed that the U.S. and Western countries are spreading weapons worldwide, and these weapons often end up in the hands of terrorist groups. He made a direct link between the leftover American weapons in Afghanistan and the intensification of ISIS attacks.

Expressing concern over terrorist activities in Afghanistan, Vasily Nebenzya emphasized that Moscow cannot ignore the situation and must address the growing threat posed by these groups in the region.

Nebenzya pointed out that the U.S. and Western countries are major distributors of weapons worldwide. He further noted that the majority of terrorist groups are using American-made weapons in their operations.

The international concern over the presence of leftover American weapons in Afghanistan highlights the risks of such weapons falling into the wrong hands. With the growing reach of ISIS, nations like Russia and other regional countries are intensifying their focus on global security threats.

The situation calls for better monitoring and control to prevent weapons from fueling terrorism. This issue, combined with the resurgence of groups like ISIS, requires coordinated international action.

Local sources in Kunduz province have reported that a suicide attack in the center of the province has left at least five dead and seven injured.

According to the sources, a powerful explosion occurred around 8:35 AM today, Tuesday, February 11 in front of a branch of Kabul Bank in the center of Kunduz.

Officials from the Taliban also confirmed the explosion, stating that a suicide bomber detonated themselves near Kabul Bank in Kunduz.

Jummahuddin Khaksar, spokesperson for the Taliban’s police in Kunduz, confirmed that five people, including members of the Taliban, were killed in the explosion, and seven others sustained injuries in the attack.

An eyewitness from the provincial hospital in Kunduz said that the bodies of 14 people have been brought to the hospital. Another source from the same hospital stated that at least 17 dead have been transferred to the hospital so far. Some sources have reported a higher number of casualties than these figures.

It is noteworthy that ISIS has claimed responsibility for all suicide attacks that have occurred in the past three years, including an earlier attack on members of the Taliban in front of a bank branch in Kandahar.

The increasing frequency of such attacks has raised concerns about the security situation in the country, especially as groups like ISIS continue to target officials and civilians. As investigations into the latest attack proceed, efforts to enhance security and prevent further attacks will likely become a priority for the authorities.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) announced on Monday, February 10, that it would suspend its humanitarian activities in nearly 20 countries, including Afghanistan, following the suspension of foreign aid from the United States.

The organization, which received approximately 20% (150 million dollars) of its 2024 budget from the U.S., stated that it had no choice but to withdraw its staff from Afghanistan and other countries.

In a statement, the NRC said: “In our 79-year history, we have never experienced such an immediate cut in funding from any donor countries, intergovernmental organizations, or private aid agencies.”

The NRC’s statement also highlighted, “Currently, we have millions of dollars in delayed requests with the U.S. government. Without an immediate solution, by the end of February, we will be forced to halt all life-saving programs funded by the United States.”

Last month, following the NRC President’s visit to Afghanistan, the organization noted the significant reduction in global aid to address the humanitarian crisis in the country. They pointed out that Afghan people, under Taliban rule for over three years, are experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis in the country’s history.

In the early days of his presidency, Donald Trump issued an order halting foreign development aid for 90 days. The decision was made to review the effectiveness of aid programs and their alignment with his administration’s foreign policy.

Although U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that some critical projects would be exempt from the suspension, the NRC mentioned that it has not yet benefited from any such exceptions.

Following this decision, the Norwegian People’s Aid Office also suspended its demining activities in Afghanistan and 11 other countries.

The ongoing suspension of aid puts millions of vulnerable people in jeopardy. It is crucial that international partners find a way to restore humanitarian support to regions facing severe crises, especially Afghanistan, where the needs are dire.

The situation in Afghanistan, exacerbated by the lack of foreign assistance, calls for urgent action to ensure that vital humanitarian services continue. The international community must address these challenges to prevent further suffering and instability in the region.

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.