The Taliban on Saturday rejected accusations by four regional powers that militant groups, including al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, maintain a presence in Afghanistan.
Hamdullah Fitrat, the Taliban’s deputy spokesperson, said “no armed group is operating in Afghanistan” and insisted the country’s territory would not be used against other nations. He added that the Taliban is solely responsible for Afghanistan’s security and has taken “necessary measures” to ensure it.
His remarks came after the foreign ministers of Russia, Iran, China and Pakistan issued a joint statement on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. The ministers voiced concern over the reported presence of ISIS, al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and Jaish al-Adl in Afghanistan, warning that their activities pose a threat to regional peace and stability.
The four countries urged the Taliban to take verifiable and non-discriminatory action against such groups.
Pakistan, in particular, has repeatedly accused the Taliban of sheltering the TTP, which has carried out cross-border attacks. The Taliban has consistently denied the allegations.
