If ISIS Can Attack Moscow, America Could Be Next, Warn US Senators

On Sunday, Taliban forces surrounded Hekmatyar's home in Kabul.

Contradicting local narratives about a siege at Hekmatyar's residence, Amin clarified that the Hezb-e-Islami's main office is not surrounded by the Taliban. He explained that a decision was made regarding the relocation of the party leader's home and the party's principal office.

The contention appears to revolve around the property housing Hekmatyar's residence and office, which the Taliban asserts is owned by the group's Ministry of Defence.

The Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Jamaat Ansarullah, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and Al-Qaeda across regions such as the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, the Indian Subcontinent, and East Africa capitalise on these mining revenues.

Taliban Supplies Al-Qaeda with Essentials

Referring to a confidential document, Foreign Policy detailed how the Taliban provides Al-Qaeda commanders and operatives with a range of support, with weaponry and shelter for women and passports. This support enables Al-Qaeda access an extensive heroin trade network.

According to the report, this drug trafficking network, which had previously financed the Taliban’s conflict against Afghanistan's former government, is now available to Al-Qaeda.

According to foreign policy, the document also reveals that post-Taliban victory in August 2021, the pathways for smuggling methamphetamine, arms, cash, and gold have been re-routed. Militants from Yemen, Libya, Somalia, and Palestinian territories frequent Al-Qaeda’s reinvigorated training camps, secured by the Taliban’s intelligence agency.

Al-Qaeda's $195 Million Plunder from Takhar and Badakhshan Gold Mines

The report reviewed by Foreign Policy stated that Al-Qaeda rakes in tens of millions of dollars weekly from gold mining in Badakhshan and Takhar. Parts of this report revealed by Foreign Policy show that Al-Qaeda claims a 25% cut from these mining operations, accumulating $194.4 million since 2022.

The report stressed that this mining effort too employs tens of thousands, safeguarded by warlords allied with the Taliban.

The analysis focused on eleven gold mines where Al-Qaeda had partnership interests. Profits from these ventures are split between two Taliban factions sympathetic to Al-Qaeda: Sirajuddin Haqqani's faction in Kabul and Hibatullah Akhundzada’s faction in Kandahar, highlighting the intimate connections both factions have with Al-Qaeda.

Shared among Western diplomats and UN officials, this report extensively documents the influence of the group, once led by Osama bin Laden, within the Taliban’s ranks.

According to Foreign Policy, based on this report, Al-Qaeda exploits Afghanistan's natural resources and diverts international humanitarian assistance.

This investigation, produced by a London-based private firm and independently validated by Foreign Policy, draws on recent research conducted within Afghanistan. It includes a roster of senior Al-Qaeda members and delineates their operational roles within the Taliban regime.

Nazary stated that the "occupation" of Afghanistan by the Taliban and "21 other regional and global terrorist networks" poses a direct threat to everyone.

In a note on X social media platform, he wrote that it is imperative for the international community to unite against the "common enemy" to ensure global security for all.

The shooting and explosion on Friday night at a concert hall in Moscow has so far left at least over 100 dead and nearly 150 wounded.

The ISIS group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Last month, Russian security agencies said that they had thwarted an attack by an ISIS branch.

At the same time, the US Embassy in Russia had also warned of a "potential extremist attack" in Moscow and advised US citizens to avoid participating in gatherings in the city.

West also mentioned that India will continue its humanitarian assistance and the delivery of medicines to Afghanistan.

The US Special Representative wrote on social media platform X that he had met with Vinay Mohan Kwatra, the Deputy Foreign Minister of India, and JP Singh, head of the Afghanistan and Pakistan division at the ministry.

He also conversed with Indian officials about the "path forward" for Afghanistan and the country's needs for the current year.

West described his discussions with Indian officials on Afghanistan as "valuable”.

The US Special Representative for Afghanistan announced last week that he would be traveling to India and the United Arab Emirates to discuss cooperation in support of the Afghan people.

According to sources, the individual received 39 lashes on Friday in Dowlat Yar district.

The spokesperson did not provide details regarding the gender of the accused or the specific nature of the accusation.

Since the takeover of power in August 2021, the Taliban has reinstated physical punishments, despite widespread protests from human rights defenders both within and outside Afghanistan. The group says that their punishment is based on Sharia.