Afghanistan Terrorism Report: March 2022

Following is the March 2022 installment of “Afghanistan Terrorism Report.” The authors provide a monthly analysis concerning the developing terrorist threat in Afghanistan as well as a comprehensive overview of that month’s al-Qaeda and ISIS-K propaganda.

During the past month, the social media propaganda machinery of ISIS-K—the affiliate of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Afghanistan—has continued to portray an image of high operational tempo in several areas of Afghanistan. Given the geographic distribution of the incidents for which ISIS-K claims responsibility, it seems clear that while ISIS-K seems to maintain networks in the north, east, and south of the country, it does not appear to have particularly well-developed networks in the west of the country. The latest high-profile attack in Western Afghanistan for which ISIS-K declared responsibility occurred in January in Herat.

Given the severity of the incident, it is not surprising that ISIS-K propaganda highlighted in repeated posts the group’s attack against a Shiite mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan. According to media reports, this suicide bombing killed more than 50 individuals and injured at least 100. This high-profile operation outside the territory of Afghanistan, as well as regular attacks against Pakistani security forces in March, highlighted by ISIS-K propaganda, demonstrates that the group attempts to show to its sympathizers its ability to operate not only in one country but regionally. According to reports by the United Nations (U.N.), ISIS-K maintains a specific office that coordinates ISIS-K activities in the entire Khorasan region. According to the definition by ISIS-K, the Khorasan region includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh but also encompasses Central Asia and reaches as far as Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

As in February, ISIS-K propaganda in March also highlights attacks in Kunduz province. This is an obvious attempt to demonstrate the group’s reach into the north of the country. However, in March, ISIS-K propaganda also took up the issue of discrimination of Uzbeks by the Taliban in several posts. Highlighting the issue plays on internal Taliban divisions and the lack of inclusion of other ethnicities in positions of responsibility by the Taliban. Indeed, according to U.N. reports, the Taliban power structure remains dominated by Pashtuns. However, by repeatedly raising the issue of Uzbek discrimination in its propaganda, ISIS-K could be attempting to recruit additional sympathizers from this ethnic group in Afghanistan. ISIS-K structures in the north of the country, and in particular in Uzbek areas remain weak. In 2018, ISIS-K suffered a significant setback in the north of the country. In that year, a Taliban operation killed several hundred ISIS-K fighters, and several hundred fighters surrendered to the Taliban and Afghan government forces. Since that time, ISIS-K was able to maintain attack cells in the north but was not able to rebuild a stronghold in that region of the country.

Map of Incidents Highlighted by ISIS-K Social Media Propaganda in March 2022

ATR-map-march-2022
Source: https://www.mappr.co/political-maps/afghanistan-provinces-map/

ISIS-K propaganda, both official and unofficial, also continues to criticize Taliban domestic policies, portraying the Taliban regime as “apostates.” An entire issue of the pro-ISIS-K online magazine “Voice of Khurasan” was devoted to this, promoting its so-called caliphate as the only alternative to the Taliban’s so-called emirate. As in previous months, ISIS-K propaganda portrays Taliban contacts with foreign governments, including China, Pakistan, Iran, and the United States as well as meetings with representatives of the U.N. as a sign that the movement is an instrument of foreign powers. As expected, its propaganda machine mentioned the Taliban decision not to allow secondary education for girls in Afghanistan but used internal Taliban discussions concerning this decision as another example that the movement is deviating from a hardline ideological interpretation of Islam. Sectarian issues regularly play a central role in ISIS propaganda, including in the social media statements of ISIS-K. Not only did pro-ISIS-K online channels criticize Pashtunwali—the traditional lifestyle and behavioral code of Pashtuns in Afghanistan—as deviant, but the channels also continue to call for stronger repression of Shiites by the Taliban. Many Afghans also celebrated the Persian new year of Nowruz at the end of March without interference from the Taliban, which pro-ISIS-K online channels interpreted as another sign of deviance by the Taliban.

Interestingly in March, pro-ISIS-K social media propaganda also emphasized the close relationship between al-Qaeda and the Taliban. While its criticism of al-Qaeda remains more subdued than that of the Taliban, the unofficial ISIS-K propaganda machinery has begun to argue that due to al-Qaeda’s close relationship with the Taliban, it too is contributing to the religious deviance that the Taliban represent. In one post, a pro-ISIS-K commenter even characterizes al-Qaeda itself as “apostates.” The fact that ISIS-K propaganda takes up this issue could point to an increasing rivalry between both groups in Afghanistan. Highlighting a video by al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri from November 2021 in which he criticized the U.N., pro-ISIS-K propaganda speculated that this was a potential attempt by al-Qaeda to separate from the Taliban as they regularly interact with U.N. officials.

The fact that ISIS-K supporters featured a video by Zawahiri in its public communications is also an example of a remarkable difference between the communication strategies of the top leadership of ISIS and al-Qaeda that has been developing since last year. While March 2022 saw the public announcement of the new leader of ISIS, Abu al-Hasan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, by ISIS, the group revealed little else about this individual. This continued the strategy of his predecessor, Abu Ibrahim al Hashimi al Qurayshi, who kept an extremely low profile before and during his leadership of the organization. In stark contrast, al-Qaeda leader Zawahiri released a fourth video since the takeover of power by the Taliban in 2021. Zawahiri spoke to al-Qaeda sympathizers in September 2021, November 2021, February 2022, and April 2022. After not appearing in a video for several months from 2020 to 2021, sparking rumors of his demise, the head of al-Qaeda apparently currently feels safe enough to regularly release video statements. That this newly found operational confidence coincides with the Taliban usurpation of power in Afghanistan is another indication of the close relationship between both groups.

Unfortunately, both the operational tempo of ISIS-K in Afghanistan and Pakistan and the new high-profile communications strategy of al-Qaeda are both very likely early warning signs that the regional and global terror threat emanating from Afghanistan is slowly increasing.

Table of contents

  1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletters
  2. Sample of Pro-ISIS Online Chatter
  3. ISIS Amaq Statements
  4. “Voice of Khurasan” Magazine Issue Two, Published March 9, 2022
  5. ISIS Amaq Propaganda Photos from Khurasan Province, Released on March 13, 2022
  6. ISIS Propaganda Video from Khurasan Province, Released on March 21, 2022

1.            ISIS March Al-Naba Newsletters

ISIS Al-Naba Newsletters Edition 328, Published March 3, 2022

  • “The killing of an element and the attack on the barracks of the Taliban militia in Khorasan”

“Caliphate soldiers in Khorasan assassinated an element of the Taliban this week and caused material damage to one of their barracks in two separate attacks in (Kunar) and (Kunduz).”

  • “Attacking a Taliban barracks in Kunar”

“In the details, by the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate attacked on Wednesday (22 Rajab) a barracks of the apostate Taliban militia, in the Suki area in (Kinnar), with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, which damaged the barracks, and the mujahideen returned to their positions safely, praise be to God.”

  • “The assassination of a Taliban member in Kunduz”

“On the other hand, the Mujahideen targeted on Sunday (26 Rajab) an element of the Taliban militia, in the (Jhartaq) area in (Kunduz), with pistol shots, which led to his death, and the Mujahideen seized his weapon, praise be to God.”

  • “Last week”

“During the past week, the soldiers of the Caliphate killed and wounded ten Taliban militiamen, including a leader, and damaged their vehicle, as well as killing a Rafidi apostate, in three armed operations in the regions of (Nangarhar) and (Helmand).”

  • “The rifle of an element of the Taliban militia seized by the soldiers of the Caliphate after targeting it in (Kunduz)”

ISIS Al-Naba Newsletters Edition 329, Published March 10, 2022

  • “More than 250 Rafidah were killed and wounded in a martyrdom operation inside their temple in (Peshawar)”
  • “Martyrdom brother (Jalibib al-Kabil) - may God accept him - since martyrdom operations inside a temple for the polytheistic Rafidites in (Peshawar)”
  • “Soldiers of the Caliphate this signed week more than 250 dead and wounded in the ranks of the Rafidah”

“A powerful martyrdom operation struck a temple for them in (Peshawar), and caused great damage to the temple, which the fighting media insist on calling misleadingly the “Mosque”! As a result, the tyrants of the East and the West quickly condemned the attack, among them the Taliban militia. Ten militiamen were killed and wounded, including two leaders, and their vehicles were damaged with other attacks in Khorasan.”

  • “250 Rafidis were killed and wounded in a martyrdom operation in (Peshawar)”

“In the details, by the grace of God Almighty, one of the Knights of the Shahada, brother (Jalibi Al-Kabuli) - may God Almighty accept him - set out, on Friday (1/1 Sha’ban), towards a temple for the polytheists in the city (Peshawar) on the border with Afghanistan, where he was able to storm the temple despite the imposed guard after he fired a pistol at two elements of the Pakistani police who were guarding the temple, which led to the killing of one of them and the injury of the other, before he mediated the masses of the polytheistic Rafidah inside their temple and detonated an explosive belt among them, which resulted in the killing of about 55 Rafidis, including one of their most prominent claimants. More than 200 others were wounded, in addition to causing great damage to the temple, praise be to God.”

  • “The Taliban and its sisters condemn the attack”

“In turn, the Arab and non-Arab tyrants quickly condemned the blessed attack, and the Taliban militia was among them, as it always did in every attack targeting the apostate Rafidah. And the Mujahideen had previously targeted the temples and centers of the Rafidah in the various regions of Khorasan with similar explosions that left hundreds of dead and wounded in their ranks in the framework of the Islamic State’s continuous jihad against the polytheists of all their names and sects.”

  • “Two Taliban killed in Helmand”

“In the context of operations against the Taliban militia, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted on the same day a house that housed elements of the Taliban militia, in (Nadeel) district in (Helmand), with grenades which led to the killing of two militants and the wounding of three, praise be to God.”

  • “5 Taliban killed and wounded, including two leaders, in (Nangarhar)”

“On Saturday (2/Sha’ban), the Mujahideen ambushed a vehicle for the Taliban militia in the Ghani Khel area in (Nangarhar), where they targeted it with automatic weapons, which led to the killing of a leader and an element, and the wounding of three others, including a leader, and the damage of their vehicle, praise be to God.”

  • “The assassination of two members in (Kunar) and (Kunduz)”

“On the same day, the Mujahideen assassinated an element of the militia, in the village of (Deokal) in the (Suki) area of (Kunar), by shooting at him from a machine gun, praise be to God. They also assassinated a second operative on Tuesday (5th Sha’ban) in the city of Kunduz, after being targeted by pistol shots, praise be to God.”

  • “Last week”

“The soldiers of the Caliphate in Khorasan had assassinated an element of the Taliban last week and caused material damage to one of their barracks in two separate attacks in (Kunar) and (Kunduz).”

  • “The funeral of the polytheistic Rafidis who fell in an attack on their temple in Peshawar”

ISIS Al-Naba Newsletter Edition 330, Published March 17, 2022

  • “11 dead and wounded from the Taliban and the apostate Pakistani police in Khorasan”

“This week, the soldiers of the Caliphate left seven dead and wounded in the ranks of the Taliban militia, including a spy, and they also killed and wounded four members of the Pakistani forces, with bombings and assassinations in a number of Khorasan regions.”

  • “A Taliban member was wounded in Kunar”

“And in the details, by granting of success by God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted on Thursday (7/Sha’ban) a member of the apostate Taliban militia, by detonating an explosive device on him, in the village of (Deokal) in the (Suki) area in (Kunar), which led to his injury, and praise be to God.”

  • “Two Pakistani policemen killed in Peshawar”

“On the other hand, on the same day, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted a member of the apostate Pakistani police, at the intersection of (Khyber) in the city of (Peshawar), with pistol shots, which led to his death. In the same way, the Mujahideen targeted on Tuesday (12 / Sha’ban) a second element of the Pakistani police in the (Phibi) area of the city (Peshawar), which led to his death, and praise be to God.”

  • “Funeral of a Pakistani policeman”
  • “One member was killed and another wounded in Bajaur”

“On the same day, they targeted two members of the apostate Pakistani army, in the Garminak area of Bajaur, with sniper weapons, which led to the killing of one of them and the injury of the other, and praise be to God.”

  • “The moment of sniping of two elements of the Pakistani army in (Garmink) in (Bajur)”
  • “5 Taliban killed and wounded in Nangarhar”

“And in (Nangarhar), on Tuesday, the soldiers of the Caliphate detonated an explosive device on a vehicle of the apostate Taliban militia, in the village of (Basol) in the (Mohmandra) region, which led to its damage and the killing and wounding of five members on board, and praise be to God.”

  • “Slaughter of a Taliban spy in Kabul”

“On the security front, a special source told (Al-Naba) that the soldiers of the Caliphate beheaded a Taliban spy, after he was captured in the capital (Kabul) about two months ago. The source indicated that the spy was involved in spying on a number of mujahideen for the so-called (Haqqani Network). He was also providing the militia with information about anyone who showed their inclination and support for the Mujahideen in his area.”

  • “A spy for the apostate Taliban militia was massacred after his capture in the capital (Kabul)”
  • “Last week”

“Last week in Khorasan witnessed the fall of more than 250 dead and wounded in the ranks of the Rafidah in a powerful martyrdom operation that hit their temple in (Peshawar), and caused great damage to the temple, which the fighting media insists on misleadingly calling it “the mosque”! While ten people were killed and wounded. Among the militia, including two leaders, a vehicle for them was damaged by other attacks in Khorasan.”

ISIS Al-Naba Newsletter Edition 331, Published March 24, 2022

  • “3 Taliban killed and wounded in Mujahideen operations in (Kunar) and (Helmand) regions”

“Three Taliban militia were killed and wounded this week, and their headquarters and vehicle were damaged, in three separate operations of the Caliphate soldiers in (Kunar) and (Helmand).”

  • “Attack on a Taliban headquarters in Kunar”

“In the details, by the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate attacked on Tuesday (12 / Sha’ban) the headquarters of the apostate Taliban militia, in the city of (Assaad Abad) in the (Kunar) region, with medium weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. This resulted in the killing of one element, the wounding of another, and the damage to the headquarters, and the Mujahideen returned to their positions safely, and all praise and gratitude be to God.”

  • “A Taliban vehicle was damaged in Kunar”

“In a related context, a special source told (Al-Naba) that the soldiers of the Caliphate detonated an explosive device the next day, on Wednesday, on a vehicle of the Taliban militia, in the village of (Dibet) in the (Watahpur) district of (Kunar), which led to its damage, and praise be to God.”

  • “The assassination of a Taliban member in (Helmand)”

“On the security front, on Thursday (14 / Shaaban) the mujahideen targeted a member of the Taliban militia, in the city of Lashkar Kah, the capital of (Helmand), with pistol shots, which led to his death, and the mujahideen seized his pistol and his motorcycle, praise be to God. A security source added to (Al-Naba) that the dead element had a great hand in the night raids launched by the militia on the homes of the Mujahideen and common Muslims in the area.”

  • “Last week”

“During the past week, the soldiers of the Caliphate killed and wounded seven Taliban militiamen, including a spy, and killed and wounded four members of the Pakistani forces, with bombings and assassinations in a number of Khorasan regions.”

ISIS Al-Naba Newsletter Edition 332, Published March 31, 2022

  • “Two Taliban militants were wounded in an attack in Logar”

“By the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted on Sunday (24 / Sha’ban) a checkpoint of the apostate Taliban militia, in the city of (Bul Alem) in the (Logar) region, with automatic weapons, which led to the injury of two members, and praise be to God.”

2.           Sample of Pro-ISIS Online Chatter

  • March 1: RocketChat post, claiming that while the Taliban leadership enjoys luxurious goods and travels the world for negotiations, the people of Herat province are selling their kidneys to Iranians due to “poverty and debt”

“Khorasan. The dogs of the apostate Taliban militia on board the most luxurious planes, and they eat the most delicious food and the most luxurious nuts, the phones of iPhones and the clothes of the princes, they fly to the countries of the Magi at times and the countries of Kafr at other times, they sell their manhood at a cheap price; As for religion, they have nothing to do.

On the other hand

A hungry people sell their kidneys to the magi of Iran out of poverty

The image from the Sky News report shows how people in Herat Province (located on the border between Iran and Afghanistan) are selling both on a large scale to Iran. Most of those who sold their kidneys to Iran told reporters that they did so because of poverty and debt”

  • March 1: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, stating that China and Iran are working together to “improve” the situation in Afghanistan

“#khurasan. Lovers of the apostate Taliban militia; China and Iran exchange views on the situation in Afghanistan. The Chinese ambassador to Iran, the Buddhist Zhang Hua, tweeted that he met the Magus Hassan Kazemi-Qomi, the Iranian tyrant's special envoy to Afghanistan, to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, and how to contribute and work to improve it.”

  • March 3: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, alleging that the Taliban is warning against Wahhabism

“#khurasan. #Watch oh Muslim. One of the Sufi grave-worshippers of the apostate Taliban militia in southern Afghanistan, while giving his speech at a ceremony warning them against Wahhabism (the call of Imam Mujaddid al-Tawhid Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, may God have mercy on him, that destroyed their polytheistic religion), and said that they have four signs by which they know the first is that he responds to their tongue the word ‘Does There is evidence from the Qur’an.’ The second is that they repeat the word ‘is it in the Sunnah,’ and the third is that they ask you about the ‘Sinad’ and the fourth is their warning against polytheism always.

#true_and_a_liar #Notice: There is no doctrine or school in the name of #Wahhabism, the deviants, misguidance and hypocrites are the ones who attribute this to the Sheikh, may God have mercy on him.”

  • March 4: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, stating that the Taliban refuses to distance themselves from non-Sunnis, stating that it would not be good for the Taliban, even if it is commanded by religious law

“An apostate from the apostate Taliban militia publishes a circular prohibiting atonement and examining the beliefs of others, and when someone asked him about his opinion about obstructing the Taliban from expiating the infidels, the polytheists. The apostate replied, ‘Strategically, it wouldn't be a good idea even if Sharia commanded it.’

He admits that they disrupt the Sharia with the jurisprudence of interest. May God shame them. The followers of the apostate Al-Qaeda, gentlemen, are doing what they did in Mukalla, Yemen, and they do not do in every spot they find except that they disrupt God’s law for the sake of interest.”

  • March 4: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, claiming that the Taliban changed the name of a district, to change the Turkish/Uzbek name

“#khurasan. The apostate Taliban militia and its ethnic war. A number of Uzbeks from Almar district of Faryab province, in their interview with the local Amag news agency, said that after the apostate Taliban came to power, the name of their village was changed from ‘Qari’ to ‘Khyber’.

They say the Taliban are trying to create a new district called Khyber, while the original name of the village is Qaray.

A resident of the area told the agency, ‘The name of this village is Qaray village many years ago, which means strength and ability, which is the original Turkish word, and all the residents of this area are of Uzbek origin; while Khaybar is an imposed word.’”

  • March 4: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, stating that the Taliban has imprisoned three Uzbek leaders and replaced them with Pashtuns and Haqqani

“#khurasan. So far, the apostate Taliban militia has removed, expelled and imprisoned three Uzbek leaders and replaced them with Pashtun and Haqqani.”

  • March 5: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, claiming that the Taliban have been looting houses they search

“#khurasan. Theft and looting after premeditation and monitoring. Systematic theft and looting. Stealing and looting. Spreading on the roads surrounding the house, I streaked from the roofs of the mosques as positions for them, the elements advanced to break the door and storm the house of the target, who is the merchant. The thief leaves with heavy, lightweight bags. Thieves stole from the merchant's house a million dollars in cash, gold and other valuables after destroying the iron safe.”

  • March 5: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, stating that Sirajuddin Haqqani was photographed with the head of the Pakistani Intelligence agency ISIS, calling him a “lover of the Pakistani intelligence”

“#khurasan. The first intelligence and director of the apostate Taliban militia, Sirajuddin Haqqani, the leader of the Haqqani branch, holding the reins and leaders of the militia, and the lover of the Pakistani intelligence.”

  • March 7: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, claiming that the Taliban are “sitting and participating” in non-Muslim religious ceremonies in Afghanistan

“#khurasan. The apostate #Taliban was not satisfied with protecting and securing the infidels and their temples, but went beyond that to sitting and participating in their infidel rituals.”

  • March 8: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, stating that the Taliban have allowed Shiite, Iranian, and secular western holidays to be celebrated in Afghanistan

“#khurasan

Celebrations of the apostate Taliban militia since it took power in Afghanistan:

Ashura (Rafidite holiday)

Arba'inah (Rafidi feast)

Yalda Night (The Feast of Zoroastrianism)

Condolences to the deceased Soleimani (rejected)

The Rafidah Revolution Day

Valentine's Day (Crusader)

Women's Day (Secular Crusader) ✅”

  • March 8: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, criticizing the Taliban for allowing the celebration of International Women’s Day, and using women in propaganda, claims that the Taliban are appealing to the international community

“#khurasan. Women of #Afghanistan, under the guidance of the apostate #Taliban, dressed up naked, celebrate Women's Day. And the militia’s die-hards filming them to produce propaganda and broadcast it on the air, to prove that they are at the bottom of the lizard’s hole, seeking the satisfaction of the camp of unbelief.”

  • March 9: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, stating that the Taliban killed five people, two after they were hit by a Taliban vehicle, and three in shooting accidents

“#khurasan. Yesterday and today, the apostate Taliban militia killed five people, two of them were trampled under the apostate wheels in two different accidents due to the recklessness of the driver, followed by the killing of three people by shooting without evidence and a good reason in two accidents as well as two of them are brothers from the same family.”

  • March 13: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, regarding Pashtunization in naming of villages

“#khurasan. The war of the apostate Taliban militia against the rest of the nationalities is raging, even in naming institutions and villages. Soon, the apostate militia replaced the name of an Uzbek village, and a few days ago it deleted the names in other languages and replaced them with Pashtun and English. An ethnic war par excellence. If they were concerned with religion, they would have dealt with the language of the Qur’an. But they are patriotic, nationalist, racist, to the point of the racism of the West.”

  • March 14: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, claiming that the Taliban’s Minister of Foreign Affairs claimed that Shiites and the Hazara respect the Companions of the Prophet Mohammad, the wives of the Prophet Mohammad, and the Caliphs,

“#khurasan. #Watch: The apostate liar Amir Khan Muttaki, the spokesman for the apostate Taliban militia, in a meeting with the Rafidah of the city of Daykundi, tells them that the Afghan Twelver Rafidah, the polytheistic Hazara sect, respect all the Companions, the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and all the Rightly-Guided Caliphs.

By God’s grace upon you and upon them, a person will not be a Twelver Shi’ite unless he blasphemes most of the Companions, especially Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, Umar al-Faruq and Uthman Dhul-Nurin, may God be pleased with them all, and they insult the honor of the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, and blaspheme the people of the Sunnah.

May God’s curse be upon the apostate group of al-Qaeda until the day they are resurrected.”

  • March 14: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, stating that the Taliban replaced one of their Uzbek leaders with a Pashtun

“#khurasan. The apostate Taliban isolates Mawlawi Nur al-Din Wali Takhar, who is an Uzbek, and replaces him with a Pashtun.”

  • March 15: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, claiming that a Taliban leader visiting the shrine of Ahmed Shah Abdali, the 18th century Emir of the Durrani Empire, the post points out that shrines are forbidden

“#khurasan. The leader of the apostate Taliban militia and a member of the militia's political bureau in the state of Qatar Ammar Yasser makes a pilgrimage to the shrine of Ahmed Shah Abdali.

Abu Dawud mentioned in his Sahih the hadith of Ali, may God be pleased with him, that he said to Abu al-Hayyaj al-Asadi: ‘Should I not send you to what the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, sent me: I will not leave a noble grave without leveling it, and no statue without obliterating it.’”

  • March 17: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, commenting on Zawahiri’s November speech condemning the UN, and stating that the Taliban still seek UN support and violate religious principles

“#Al-Qaeda_to_where. Al-Zawahiri came out after a long absence with a long speech, clarifying the obvious! The course decides and details the item. Speaking about the reality of the ‘United Nations,’ to which the Taliban today officially and frankly bowed, like other apostate entities and governments.

But is the deviation of the Taliban limited only to its subservience and belief in the United Nations?!

Is this not considered a dwarfing and belittling of the major deviation of the Taliban in many sections of the religion?!

And is this al-Qaeda speech the beginning of a systematic separation from the Taliban, or a letter of advice and nothing more, with the continuation of loyalty between them?! Or is it a belated attempt to contain their elements who seem to be on the verge of a stage of fragmentation and wandering that is much greater than the stage they lived in previously, after the events of Levant, in which al-Julani led them to the abyss?!

Al-Zawahiri's daring to criticize - implicitly to the Taliban - does this mean that al-Qaeda left Afghanistan towards areas outside the control of the Taliban and far from its grip?!

It is noticeable that whenever the rule comes out in something new. It only resulted in more wandering, confusion and confusion for its followers and the few remaining branches.

In return, more confidence in the correctness and correctness of the path of the Islamic state in approach, word and deed, and that is the grace of God that He bestows upon whomever He wills, praise be to God.”

  • March 17: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, criticizing the Pashtun loya jirga as un-Islamic

“#loya_jirga: (Pashto: loya jirga, "the great gathering")

It is a special type of jirga, or assembly of government, in Pashtunwali*, which is the customary tribal law of the constitution of the Pashtun people. It is organized mainly to choose a new tyrant of the state in the event of a sudden death, or the adoption of a new Kufri constitution, or to settle national or regional issues such as war or any other conflict. The Loya Jirga predates the written or immutable positive laws of modern times and is mostly preferred, to a lesser extent, by other neighboring groups influenced by the Pashtuns.

In Afghanistan, the Loya Jirga has been organized since at least the early 18th century when the Hotaki and Durrani dynasties rose to power.

#Pashtunuli (Pashto: Pastonuli) is a traditional way of life and is best described as a symbol of honor for the Pashtun people, in which they live and is matched by the intolerance of nationalism and patriotism.

It was interpreted by Pashtun elders as ‘the path of the Afghans’ or ‘the law of life.’ Pashtunwali is widely practiced by the Pashtuns in the Pashtunistan regions of Afghanistan, Khyber Pashtunkwa and northern Balochistan.

The history of #Pashtunwali goes back to pre-Islamic times

The apostate Taliban is still on trial in the Loya Jirga with the tribal elders, and the apostate Taliban is made up of at least 90% of the Pashtuns and the organization has a severe ignorant diet for the Pashtun ethnicity.”

  • March 17: Element/Matrix post originally made on Telegram, claiming that the Taliban assign punishments according to laws established by Pashtunwali, and not pure Islamic law

“#khurasan. The apostate Taliban militia assesses the limit of the thief according to the positive Pashtunwali constitution, a bag on the head and they roam the streets with it on the purification of a donkey but upside down and this is the most important :)”

  • March 19: Telegram post stating that four Taliban members were killed and one wounded in an attack on a checkpoint, but that the Taliban lied about the number of killed and wounded

“#khurasan. Local sources said that four members of the apostate Taliban militia were killed and another was wounded in an attack by gunmen on their checkpoint in Arghandab in the Zabul governorate, while the apostate militia stated that only one member was killed and another was wounded.”

  • March 19: Telegram post stating that the former security chief of Panjshir was charged with corruption, consumption of alcohol, unlicensed carrying of firearms, abuse of power, threats, extortion, theft, looting, and robbery

#khurasan. The apostate Abdul Hamid Haidari, whom the apostate Taliban made the security chief in Panjshir and called him Mullah and changed his nickname to Khorasani, was working in charge of the discipline unit in the Kabul police. The tyrannical Supreme Court sentenced him to prison on charges. Corruption, drinking alcohol, unlicensed carrying of arms, abuse of power in threats and extortion, theft, looting and robbery. And we all know with evidence that the apostate Taliban does not repent to anyone, how do you repent of them and in its ranks there are rejectionists in God who associate partners with and in the honor of His Prophet, may God bless him and his companions, they curse.”

  • March 19: Telegram post stating that Taliban leadership is divided, a Taliban spokesperson claimed the Panjshir head of security was dismissed for being a thief and a spy

“#khurasan. The apostate Abu Bakr Siddiq, a spokesman for the governor of #Bangshir, says that the apostate Abdul Hamid Khorasani was dismissed from the post of director of security three months ago. He added that Khorasani is a stubborn person, a thief and a spy. A hateful, nervous nationalist gang is blasphemous with the animosity between its leaders, so what do you know about its opponents?”

  • March 21: Telegram post criticizing the Taliban for allowing Nowruz celebrations

“#khurasan. A large number of people from Kabul went to the town of Umid Sabz to celebrate the pagan festival of Nowruz. The Ministry of Enjoining Evil and Forbidding Good, affiliated with the apostate Taliban militia is closed or out of coverage. Please try again when it comes to Salafis and Wahhabis. Thank you”

  • March 21: Telegram post stating that the Taliban declared Nowruz a non-official holiday, meaning that it is not a paid holiday, but allowed people to celebrate it privately

“#khurasan. The apostate Siddiqui, spokesman for the Ministry of Labor in the apostate Taliban militia, said, Reuters told Reuters that there will be no official holiday on Monday, the day the pagan Nowruz holiday was scheduled to be celebrated, meaning that it is allowed to celebrate, but after working hours.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Information of the apostate militia said that the holiday is not according to Islamic law, but that private celebrations by civilians will be permitted. The apostate Imad, head of publications at the apostate Ministry of Information, said: ‘We do not officially celebrate Nowruz, and if people want to do something, we won't stop it.’ The issue is only a paid holiday, but the act itself is permissible.”

  • March 21: Telegram post claiming that the Taliban have closed 36 Salafi mosques while restoring Shiite and Sufi mosques and Sikh temples

“#khurasan. The apostate Taliban militia closed down about 36 Salafi mosques in about 16 governorates... while restoring the Rafidah Husseiniyas, Sikh and Sufi temples... and even their shrines, and you even visit them and maybe worship them.”

  • March 22: Telegram post stating that Pakistan’s foreign minister said that cooperation with the Taliban was necessary to defeat ISIS-K

“#Pakistan. The apostate Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said at a meeting of the Organization of Non-Islamic Cooperation in Islamabad that cooperation with the apostate Taliban militia is necessary to eliminate the Islamic State. The apostate added that there is a need for an effective strategy to deal with other terrorist groups in Khorasan.”

  • March 23: Telegram post stating that the Taliban allow drone overflights

“A drone in Sama #Kabel today. It is noteworthy that the apostate Taliban declared that they allow the skies of Khorasan to be violated by the West and the East in the context of the fight against terrorism.”

  • March 24: Telegram post criticizing the Taliban for giving a “warm welcome” to the Chinese “the killers of Muslims”

“#khurasan. The warm welcome of the killers of Muslims, the worshipers of idols, from their Taliban brothers”

  • March 25: Telegram post stating that the Taliban were going to arrest a senior Uzbek leader in Takhar province, accusing him of working with ISIS-K

“#khurasan. ethnic war. Sources said that the apostate Taliban militia wants to arrest Mawlawi Abdul Qadir, governor of Dasht-e Qala district and a senior Uzbek leader in Maverick district in Kokha in Takhar province. This came after the meeting of the Uzbek leaders and the fear of the apostate Taliban that they would defect from it. Alma militia accuses Abdul Qadir of collaborating with the Islamic State. It is reported that the apostate Taliban has imprisoned a senior Uzbek leader after luring him on the same accusation.”

  • March 25: Telegram post stating that the Chinese foreign minister met with the Taliban’s minister of interior, Sirajuddin Haqqani

“#khurasan. Yesterday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with the Minister of Interior of the apostate Taliban militia, the apostate intelligence intelligence Sirajuddin Haqqani.”

  • March 26: Telegram post stating that Taliban factions are fighting each other in Takhar province over control of a gold mine.

“#khurasan. Local sources said that elements of the apostate Taliban militia clashed with each other over a gold mine in Takhar province.

And the -sources confirm that a gunman from the apostate Taliban shot the apostate Abdel Nasser, director of militia intelligence, in the Kalfajan area in Takhar province.

The sources added that the condition of the apostate Abdel Nasser is critical and that he is now in a coma at Takhar Regional Hospital.

According to the sources, the clash took place because of a gold mine that was monopolized by the apostate intelligence director and the governor of the Calfgan area in the Garm Garve area in Calfgan, and the rest of the elements were prevented from using it.”

  • March 29: Telegram post stating that there is disunity in the Taliban regarding girls’ education and the mandatory wearing of beards

“Many loyal figures and leaders of the apostate Taliban militia are highly critical of the militia ministries' decisions regarding girls' education and men's beards. Among them are people like the apostates General Maupin and Asad Barei.

The wave of criticism was carried by atheist nations, even the state of Qatar and Ataturk, knowing that many Afghans accuse the leaders of the apostate militia of sending their daughters to study in Qatar and Europe.

And this is not the only problem that comes out into the open, and the apostate Taliban leaders exchange statements that are infectious to the militia’s decisions itself or against certain members of the militia, and the rivalries have reached the top of the pyramid between the American agent Bradley and the Pakistani agent Haqqani.”

3.          ISIS Amaq Statements

  • March 6: ISIS claims to have killed a Taliban leader and injured another leader in an attack on Taliban vehicles in Nangarhar

“Khorasan Province, by the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate attacked a vehicle of the apostate Taliban militia, in the area of (Ghani Khel) in (Nanjarhar) yesterday, and targeted it with machine guns, which led to the killing of a leader and a member of it, and the injury of another leader and two elements, and the vehicle was damaged, and praise be to God.”

  • March 6: ISIS claims to have attacked Taliban members inside a house in Helmand, killing two and injuring one

“Khorasan Province With the help of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted a house in which there were elements of the apostate Taliban militia, in the (Nadali) area in (Helmand) the day before yesterday, with grenades, which led to the killing of two members and the injury of another, and praise and favor be to God.”

  • March 6: ISIS claims to have killed a member of the Taliban in Kunar

“Khorasan Province, by the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted a member of the apostate Taliban militia, in the village of (Deukal) in the (Suki) area in (Kunar) yesterday, with a machine gun, which led to his death, and praise and favor be to God.”

  • March 9: ISIS claims to have killed a member of the Taliban in Kunduz

“Khorasan Province By the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted a member of the apostate Taliban militia, in the city of (Kunduz) yesterday, with pistol shots, which led to his death, and praise be to God.”

  • March 11: ISIS claims to have killed a member of the Pakistani police in Peshawar

“Khorasan Province By the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted a member of the apostate police, at (Khaybar) intersection in the city of (Peshawar) yesterday, with pistol shots, which led to his death, praise be to God.”

  • March 11: ISIS claims to have killed a member of the Taliban with an explosive device

“Khorasan Province With the help of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted a member of the apostate Taliban militia, by detonating an explosive device in the village of (Deukal) in the (Suki) area in (Kannar) yesterday, which led to his injury, praise be to God.”

  • March 15: ISIS claims to have killed a Pakistani police officer in Bajaur District, Pakistan, and injured another officer

“Khorasan Province, with the help of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted two members of the apostate Pakistani police, in the (Garmnk) area in (Bajaur), with automatic weapons, which led to the killing of one of them and the injury of the other, and praise be to God.”

  • March 16: ISIS claims to have attacked a Taliban vehicle in Nanjarhar with explosives, killing and wounding five

“Khorasan Province, by the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate detonated an explosive device on a vehicle of the apostate Taliban militia, in the village of (Basol) in the (Nanjarhar) region yesterday, which led to its damage and the killing and wounding of 5 members on board, and praise be to God.”

  • March 16: ISIS claims to have killed a Pakistani police officer in Peshawar

“Khorasan Province, by the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted a member of the apostate Pakistani police, in the (Phibi) area of the city (Peshawar) yesterday, with pistol shots, which led to his death, and praise be to God.”

  • March 17: ISIS claims to have attacked a Taliban headquarters in Kunar, killing one person and injuring another

“Khorasan Province, by the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate attacked a headquarters of the apostate Taliban militia, in the city of (Asaadabad) in (Kinnar) the day before yesterday, with medium weapons and rocket-propelled grenades, which led to its damage, killing one element and wounding another, and the mujahideen returned to their positions safely, and praise be to God.”

  • March 28: ISIS claims to have inured two members of the Taliban in an attack on a checkpoint in Logar

“Khorasan Province. By the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted a checkpoint of the apostate Taliban militia, in the city of (Bul Alem) in (Logar) yesterday, with automatic weapons, which led to the injury of two of them, and praise be to God.”

4.         “Voice of Khurasan” Magazine Issue Two, Published March 9, 2022

The articles are summarized in bullet points below.

Article 1: Are Taliban Murtadeen?

  • The Taliban are hypocrites.
  • The ISI, and especially Sultan Amir Tarar, a.k.a Colonel Imam, helped create the Taliban.
  • While some joined the Taliban out of sincerity and had good intentions, the group as a whole was manipulated by the ISI, who wanted to control their finances, management, and supply.
  • Taliban leaders were trained by the ISI and by the U.S. in Qatar.
  • The Americans have pushed the Taliban into accepting democratic principles.
  • The U.S. is secretly working with the Taliban, and the Taliban are secretly working with the CIA.
  • The Taliban claim to be Muslims but they participate in immorality.
  • List of why the Taliban are apostates:
    • The Taliban are U.S. mercenaries. The U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan after negotiations. The Taliban even said that they would retake Kabul peacefully and not invade using violence.
    • The Taliban negotiated with the former Afghan government.
    • The former Afghan government transferred power peacefully to the Taliban.
      • Control of Kabul and various provinces were transferred to the Taliban. The Taliban did not conquer them in battle. The U.S. also transferred control to the Taliban and gave them military equipment (referring to U.S. equipment left behind).
      • The Taliban put on a show of making it appear as if they hate the U.S., but they are actually their stooges. If the Taliban are enemies of the U.S., why did the U.S. leave them so much military equipment?
  • Islamic law and governance are not imposed through negotiations, but are imposed through military victory.
  • The U.S. fears ISIS-K, which is why they are relentlessly attacked. The U.S. does not fear the Taliban, which is why they were allowed to take power.

Article 2: Among the Believers are Men

  • Biography of Najeeb al-Hindi, who traveled from Kerala, India to fight with ISIS-K in Afghanistan.
  • Al-Hindi is described as having been an ethical engineering student who came to Afghanistan when he was 23.
  • Al-Hindi married a Pakistani woman, but there was a battle nearby.
  • Al-Hindi was convinced to finish the marriage ceremony, but then volunteered to be martyred instead of spending his wedding night with his wife.
  • Al-Hindi did not have to fight after his wedding, he chose to.

Article 3: Come Towards the Religion of Salvation

  • It is important to choose the right religious path, which is supporting the caliphate, the system of government ordered by God.
  • Don’t choose the easy path, the path of worldly pleasures, over eternal salvation.

Article 4: Here is the Islamic Khilafah

  • ISIS refuses to make agreements with governments and only fights for the creation of the caliphate.
  • Other groups, such as al-Qaeda, do not clarify methods of theology
  • Al-Qaeda has made an alliance with the Taliban and has agreements with Iran. This is the height of hypocrisy, because Iran is responsible for the deaths of many in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
  • Abu Mohammad al-Jolani and Hayat Tahir al-Sham are also hypocrites.
  • Al-Jolani left al-Qaeda and trimmed his beard and wore a blazer to please the West. He is now allied with Turkey and has embraced nationalism.
  • The Taliban forbids jihad from being waged from Afghanistan, which is religious hypocrisy. The Taliban acts as a proxy force fighting ISIS on behalf of the U.S.

Article 5: Why Khilafah is Our Only Choice?

  • So-called jihadist organizations have embraced nationalism.
  • The Taliban want to establish Deobandi dominance and forbid Salafism.
  • ISIS “establishes the laws of Allah fully,” and the Taliban does not.
    • The Taliban does not cut off the hands of thieves and does not stone adulterers. The Taliban tax the sale of opium poppies.
  • ISIS claims to protect women, the Taliban does not.

5.           ISIS Amaq Propaganda Photos from Khurasan Province, Released on March 13, 2022

A set of photos released on March 13 from ISIS’s Amaq Agency as part of a multi-province series that shows ISIS fighters pledging allegiance to the new caliph, Abu Hasan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi.

In total, there were 19 different groups in Khurasan Province shown in the photo set.

6.         ISIS Propaganda Video from Khurasan Province, Released on March 21, 2022

On March 21, ISIS released a propaganda video from Khurasan province titled “Jihad of the Believers Continues,” as part of the group’s series of videos that shows ISIS fighters pledging their allegiance to the new caliph, Abu Hasan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi. The video was three minutes and six seconds long, and shows 17 different sets of fighters.

Daily Dose

Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.

In Their Own Words:

We reiterate once again that the brigades will directly target US bases across the region in case the US enemy commits a folly and decides to strike our resistance fighters and their camps [in Iraq].

Abu Ali al-Askari, Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) Security Official Mar. 2023
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