UN official warns of growing Daesh threat beyond Afghanistan

UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Counter-terrorism Vladimir Voronkov on Thursday warned that the strength of Daesh’s Khorasan branch is increasing and that the group is capable of launching attacks beyond Afghanistan.

Speaking at the UN Security Council, Voronkov said that Daesh Khorasan has become “the greatest external terrorist threat” to Europe, and it is intensifying its efforts to recruit and enhance its capabilities.

He emphasized that the group has “improved its financial and logistical capabilities over the past six months, including by leveraging support from the Afghan and Central Asian diaspora” and has “intensified its recruitment efforts.”

Voronkov called on all UN member states to take unified action to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a breeding ground for terrorist activities. “It is imperative that Afghanistan does not once again become a hotbed of terrorist activity,” he said.

The Islamic Emirate, however, dismisses such concerns and once again emphasizes that Daesh has been suppressed in Afghanistan and no armed group is present in the country.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, says that the Islamic Emirate has fought against Daesh and regional countries should also do their part.