ISIS Remains Major Threat To Afghanistan & Region, Warns UN

Vladimir Voronkov, head of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office, has warned that ISIS-K continues to pose a serious threat to Afghanistan, the region, and the world.

Addressing the UN Security Council, Voronkov stated that there are reports of foreign terrorists travelling to Afghanistan, raising concerns over the group’s growing influence.

The Russian UN official highlighted that ISIS-K supporters in Europe have also carried out attacks, demonstrating the group’s expanding operational reach beyond Afghanistan.

Speaking at a Security Council meeting on terrorist threats to international peace and stability, Voronkov emphasised that ISIS continues to recruit fighters, particularly from Central Asian countries.

Despite efforts by the UN and its international and regional partners, he noted that ISIS remains active and operational.

During Monday’s session, Voronkov also referenced the situation in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, warning that the country’s ongoing instability could contribute to ISIS’s resurgence.

He pointed out that tens of thousands of ISIS members and their families are still held in camps in northwestern Syria, with 42,500 individuals affiliated with the group remaining in these detention centres and prisons.

According to Voronkov’s report, more than 700 Iraqi citizens, hundreds of Syrians, and 8,600 foreign nationals are detained in these camps and prisons.

He further stated that in Iraq, the repatriation process for ISIS detainees of various nationalities has slowed down, with only 760 individuals accepted by Iraq so far.

During the Security Council meeting, Voronkov reiterated the UN Secretary-General’s call for the “dignified” repatriation of citizens from Syrian camps and urged governments to facilitate their return.

ISIS’s Growing Threat Beyond Afghanistan

The UN official also highlighted the threat posed by ISIS activities in other parts of the world, particularly in West Africa.

He reported that ISIS has conducted numerous attacks on both military and civilian targets, including schools, with some incidents resulting in horrific casualties.