US treasury department in an issued memo said that Al-Qaeda is gaining strength in Afghanistan.
The report indicates that Al-Qaeda being protected by the Taliban is gaining its strength back, turning a red line on over US-Taliban agreement.
“As of 2020, al-Qaeda is gaining strength in Afghanistan while continuing to operate with the Taliban under the Taliban’s protection. Al-Qaeda broadly still depends on donations from like minded supporters, and from individuals who believe that their money is supporting humanitarian or charitable causes,” US Treasury reported.
“Al-Qaeda capitalizes on its relationship with the Taliban through its network of mentors and advisers who are embedded with the Taliban, providing advice, guidance, and financial
support.
“Senior Haqqani Network figures have discussed forming a new joint unit of armed fighters in cooperation with and funded by al-Qaeda,” the report stated.
The report also discussed the elements of Al-Qaeda, AQIS, TTP Tahrik-e Taliban Pakistan, and continuous use of the Afghan-Pak Border as safe haven.
“AQIS likely receives funding from al-Qaeda senior leadership,” the report stated adding that “as of May 2020, the Taliban and al-Qaeda maintained a strong relationship and continued to meet regularly.”
“Al-Qaeda capitalizes on its relationship with the Taliban through its network of mentors and advisers who are embedded with the Taliban, providing advice, guidance, and financial support”, the report indicates, adding that “Senior Haqqani network figures have discussed forming a new joint unit of armed fighters in cooperation with and funded by al-Qaeda,”
On the financial state of Daesh Khorasan, the report says “ISIS-K primarily raises funds through local donations, taxation, extortion, and some financial support from ISIS-core.
“In 2019, Afghan Taliban and Afghan government forces retook ISIS-K’s stronghold in southern Nangarhar, which decreases the amount of money the group could earn exploiting natural resources in this territory.
“As of early 2020, ISIS core was possibly providing some funds to ISIS-K. According to Treasury’s information, ISIS-K retains at least some financial reserves and relies on hawalas (Money Transfer), particularly in Kabul and Jalalabad, to transfer funds,” the report read.
The inquiries at the US Department of Defense, facilitated Inspector General to discover illicit terrorism financing,
This comes as US Taliban Deal on February 2021, requires the Taliban to sever ties with Al-Qaeda, but the two groups remained close allies.
