What is IS-K?
IS-K, or the Islamic State – Khorasan Province, is a terrorist group that emerged in Afghanistan in 2015. It is the local affiliate of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). IS-K has carried out a number of deadly attacks in Afghanistan, including suicide bombings and mass shootings.
Khorasan was a historical region and realm comprising a vast territory in what is now northeastern Iran, southern Turkmenistan, and northern Afghanistan.
What are IS-K's goals?
IS-K's goal is to establish an Islamic caliphate in Afghanistan and the surrounding region. The group wants to overthrow the Taliban and impose its own harsh interpretation of Islamic law. IS-K also sees itself as a global jihadi movement and has carried out attacks in other countries, including India, Pakistan, and the United States.
How is IS-K funded?
IS-K is funded through a variety of means, including:
• Taxation of its supporters
• Bank robberies
• Kidnapping for ransom
• Drug trafficking
• Donations from sympathizers
How is IS-K organized?
IS-K is organized into a number of different cells, each with its own area of responsibility. The group has a central leadership structure, but it is believed that this structure is quite fluid and that there is a lot of competition for power within the group.
What is the threat posed by IS-K?
IS-K is considered to be one of the most dangerous terrorist groups in the world. The group has a large number of fighters and is well-armed. IS-K is also very active in social media, which it uses to recruit new members and spread its propaganda.
The threat posed by IS-K is particularly acute in Afghanistan. The Taliban has not been able to fully control the country and IS-K has taken advantage of this to expand its operations. IS-K is also a threat to neighboring countries, including Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
What is being done to counter IS-K?
The United States and its allies are working to counter IS-K through a combination of military and non-military means. The military component includes airstrikes and ground operations. The non-military component includes efforts to build up the Afghan security forces and to promote economic development.
The international community is also working to counter IS-K's propaganda through efforts to promote accurate information about the group and to counter its narrative.
The threat posed by IS-K is real and ongoing. The international community must continue to work together to counter this threat and to prevent IS-K from gaining more power and influence.
