ISIS Makes Inroads In Afghanistan After Decline in US Troops

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CNS News:

(CNSNews.com) – Days before Afghan leaders are due to hold talks with senior administration officials on military and economic assistance issues, the country’s defense ministry on Thursday confirmed that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS/ISIL/Daesh) has established a presence in Afghanistan, although it played down the seriousness of the threat.

 

“We do not deny the presence of Daesh in Afghanistan,” the Tolo news agency quoted deputy ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri as saying, adding that the extent of that presence had been exaggerated.

 

“I believe that Daesh has failed in Afghanistan and will not become a major threat for the country,” he said.

 

Waziri was speaking several days after U.N. officials raised concerns about the ISIS infiltration into the country, where Afghan forces supported by a diminished U.S. troop presence continue to fight a Taliban insurgency.