UN and Russia warn about ISIL presence in Afghanistan

The UN and Russia have voiced concern about reports that the Takfiri ISIL terrorist group is increasing its activities in war-torn Afghanistan.

Addressing a Monday meeting of the UN Security Council, Nicholas Haysom, the top UN envoy in Afghanistan, warned that the ISIL has a potential “to offer an alternative flagpole to which otherwise isolated insurgent splinter groups can rally.”

He, however, said that the Takfiri group, which mainly operates in Syria and Iraq, hasn’t developed “firm roots” in Afghanistan.

Russia’s Deputy UN Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov also echoed the concerns, urging the Security Council to stop the expansion of the Takfiri terrorists.

Safronkov said Moscow is concerned about “increasingly frequent reports of the worsening situation in the north of Afghanistan” and near the borders with former Soviet republics.

Safe haven

He added that the terrorist group has set up camps in northern Afghanistan to recruit militants.

“The states of the region have legitimate concerns about this turn of events,” Safronkov said, adding, “Turning it into yet another safe haven for fighters and extremists is categorically unacceptable.”

Afghanistan’s UN Ambassador Zahir Tanin confirmed reports that the terrorist group is operating in his country, but said that “the main enemy we face is the Taliban that continue to fight against us.”

He added that there may also be “some splinter groups with more extreme orientations.”

UN resolution

At the end of the meeting, the Security Council adopted a resolution urging the Afghan government to continue efforts to tackle threats from the Taliban, al-Qaeda, other extremist groups and drug traders with help from the international community. The resolution did not mention ISIL by name.

The ISIL militants, with members from several Western countries, control some parts of Syria and Iraq, and have been carrying out horrific acts of violence such as public decapitations and crucifixions against all ethnic and religious communities.