Taliban Reviews Fighter Clearance Amid Rising ISIS Threat

The Taliban’s commission to purge “people of bad character” from their ranks has launched a reassessment of clearance forms for its fighters in southeastern Afghanistan.

The region is considered a stronghold of the Haqqani network. This review follows a surge in ISIS attacks in Kabul and other provinces.

Sources told Afghanistan International that this process, overseen by the deputy governors of Khost, Paktia, Paktika, Logar, and Ghazni provinces, began last week.

According to informed sources, “All those who filled out clearance forms but did not participate in combat will be dismissed from their positions. Additionally, individuals recruited through family connections will be removed.”

The commission to purge “people of bad character” from the Taliban ranks has compiled a list of all Taliban fighters in these provinces and is requiring commanders to identify those who were recruited through personal connections.

A source in Khost province stated that the commission, led by the deputy governor, is holding interviews and assessments to validate the fighters’ credentials.

Sources added that in Khost, former governor and senior Haqqani network member Mohammad Nabi Omari had issued clearance forms based on tribal and ethnic affiliations for many senior fighters. These forms are now being reassessed for validity.

According to one source, “It is likely that many Taliban clearance forms in Paktia will be revoked.”

Since taking power, the Taliban has sought to appoint its fighters and commanders to government positions, leading to an administration dominated by its members.

The Taliban’s purge Commission was established by order of the group’s Prime Minister and consists of members from the ministries of defence, intelligence, and interior. It is centrally overseen by the Defence Minister, while at the provincial level, deputy governors are responsible for its implementation.

At the provincial level, the commission includes the deputy governor, police chief, military corps commander, a mufti or representative from the military court, and the head of the religious scholars’ council. These officials are tasked with evaluating clearance forms and deciding whether to approve or revoke them.

The purge commission has restarted its internal vetting process in an area considered the primary stronghold of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s Interior Minister.

Haqqani recently left Afghanistan due to ongoing disputes with the Taliban’s supreme leader, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, and is currently residing in Dubai.