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| Afghanistan |
| Critics Question ISIS Strength In Afghanistan |
| 2016-07-27 |
| As thousands of Afghan troops are busy fighting Daesh insurgents in the southern parts of the country, a number of military analysts said they believe that Daesh‎ numbers are being exaggerated and that the Taliban is still the biggest threat to the country. They said figures revealed by government regarding Daesh casualties in military operations are incorrect. According to security agencies' information, at least 230 Daesh fighters were killed and 155 wounded - including 70 foreigners, of Pakistan, Uzbek, Tajik and Chechen origins. These were all killed in air raids carried out in parts of Nangarhar over the past two months. Roughly 14 of Daesh's key commanders have also been listed as among those killed. According to military affairs analyst Jawed Kohistani: "The major threat to Afghanistan is imposed by the Taliban. They [Taliban] have the control of a further geography and they have the highest fighters [compared to Daesh]. Daesh poses a limited threat to two or three provinces in Afghanistan. It has likely between 1,000 and 1,500 fighters, but it is made bigger in the media and their activities are emboldened during operations by security forces and during speeches of foreign officials." He added: "This is a matter of concern. Daesh might be considered a project for the future of Afghanistan." When asked about the number of Daesh insurgents fighting Afghan troops, the defense ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said: "The major hubs of Daesh were eliminated in Achin last night and are under full control of the Afghan security forces. Therefore, they [Daesh] were hundreds but the hundreds were killed." Meanwhile, senior U.S officials recently said there are between 1,000 and 3,000 Daesh fighters in Afghanistan. However, the U.S Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said they are committed to helping Afghan forces combat against terrorism. "Afghan troops are successful in this fighting season and in recognition of the fact even though they have come a long way since when they started, they still benefit from the support of U.S forces," he said. As per the reports, Daesh rebels are operating in Kot, Achin, Deh Bala, Nazian, Pachergam and Sherzad districts in Nangarhar as well as in Ghaziabad, Marawara, Sarkano and Nari districts in Kunar province. Kot, Achin, Deh Bala and Nazian are said to be the terrorist group's main hubs in Afghanistan. Video report at the link |
| Posted by:badanov |