The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is in an “initial exploratory phase” in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said in a report to Congress, noting the Taleban retained its resilience in the war-torn country.
ISIS extremists have never formally acknowledged having a presence in Afghanistan, but fears are growing that the group is making inroads there.
The Afghan government and the US-led international coalition fighting the Taleban are keeping a wary eye on ISIS, which has grabbed large areas of Syria and Iraq in a brutal offensive involving beheadings and forced religious conversions.
“All are collaborating closely in order to prevent this threat from expanding,” the Pentagon report said, citing “evidence of limited recruiting efforts” by ISIS in Afghanistan.
