IS emerging operational in Afghanistan, says US general

General John Campbell the US Army and Resolute Support (RS) commander in Afghanistan has said the Islamic State (IS) is emerging operations in Afghanistan.

Earlier he said that the IS group is actively recruiting in the country, but is not yet operational in Afghanistan.

“Last year we heard about IS activities in Afghanistan, during the last six and seven months we heard IS growth in Afghanistan, we said that this group is trying to make a foothold, but now I want to say that the group is probably emerging operations.”

The US general has warned that if the U.S. pull out troops from Afghanistan and stop financial support Taliban and IS militant groups will take the control of this country.

He said about sixty to seventy percent of Taliban affiliates may join in reconciliation process with the Afghan government, but thirty to forty percent of Taliban including Haqqani network is against the reconciliation.

Adding, If Taliban start reconciliation with the government, the peace oppositions may join IS and this is an issue, and if we leave Afghanistan and stop financial supports, years later Taliban and IS may take the control of Afghanistan.

At the same time Campbell said Afghan security forces fighting against terrorism are among the best forces in the region, but they still need to be trained and equipped.

Reported by: Fahim Noori