The United States has warned the United Nations Security Council that the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) continues to exploit instability in Afghanistan and remains a serious threat to regional security, despite Taliban assertions that the group has been largely defeated.
Addressing a Security Council session on global terrorism, U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations Tammy Bruce said combating ISIS, al-Qaeda and their affiliates remains one of Washington’s highest counterterrorism priorities.
“These groups continue to exploit instability,” Bruce said, citing ISIS-K in Afghanistan, al-Qaeda’s growing influence in the Sahel and the expanding presence of ISIS-linked groups across parts of Africa.
She warned that terrorist organisations are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence, drones, encrypted communications, satellite technology and cryptocurrencies to recruit followers, finance operations and coordinate attacks, making the global terrorism threat more sophisticated.
Bruce called on UN member states to strengthen practical cooperation and intensify efforts to counter the evolving methods used by extremist organisations.
Her remarks echoed the findings of the UN Secretary-General’s latest strategic assessment, which concluded that ISIS-K retains the capability to conduct attacks beyond Afghanistan and is rebuilding its capacity for high-profile external operations despite sustained counterterrorism pressure.
China delivered a similar warning during the same Security Council session. Deputy Permanent Representative Sun Lei urged the Taliban to honour their counterterrorism commitments and prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for international terrorist organisations. He also called for stronger regional cooperation and closer oversight of emerging technologies exploited by extremist groups.
The Taliban have repeatedly rejected allegations that foreign terrorist organisations operate from Afghanistan territory, insisting Afghanistan poses no threat to other countries and maintaining that ISIS-K has been significantly weakened.
However, international officials continue to question that assessment. ISIS-K has repeatedly claimed responsibility for attacks inside Afghanistan, including the recent assassination of a Taliban official in Badakhshan Province, reinforcing concerns that the group retains the capability to carry out deadly operations despite ongoing Taliban security campaigns.
The Security Council meeting underscored growing international concern that ISIS-K remains one of the most active branches of the Islamic State network and continues to pose risks extending beyond Afghanistan’s borders.
