Afghanistan Content Report: December 21, 2024–January 3, 2025

Afghanistan Content Report

December 21, 2024–January 3, 2025

Please note all items in this issue concern ISIS-K

Table of contents

  1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletters
  2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter
  3. ISIS Amaq/Nashir Statements
  4. ISIS-K Linked Al-Azaim Web Magazine Voice of Khorasan Issue 42, Released on December 21, 2024
  5. Pro-ISIS Al-Jahaur Media Center Web Magazine Serat ul Haq Issue 5, Released on December 25, 2024

 

Main points (Pro-ISIS Online Chatter)

Afghanistan

  • Unidentified individuals attacked a Taliban vehicle near Taloqan, Takhar, killing one Taliban member.
  • Unidentified individuals killed a Taliban security deputy commander, Qari Zalmai, in Parwan.
  • An alleged “Sufi school” was lit on fire in Nangarhar province by unidentified individuals.
  • Unidentified individuals attacked a Taliban checkpoint using explosives in Kabul.
  • Unidentified individuals attacked a vehicle being used by Indian consulate employees in Jalalabad, killing one person and injuring at least two others. One of the wounded was an Afghan translator, and the individual killed was his bodyguard.
  • The Pakistani military allegedly killed 46 people in raids in Paktika province, Afghanistan.
  • 50 people were killed in “mutual shelling” between the Taliban and Pakistani government forces on the border between the two countries.
  • Unidentified individuals killed an alleged village leader in Herat.
  • Unidentified individuals murdered a former Afghan counterterrorism soldier in Parwan.
  • The Taliban allegedly killed an imam, Sayed Mullah, for being a “Salafi” and a supporter of ISIS-K in Kunar.
  • Unidentified individuals attacked a vehicle in Rustaq, Takhar, killing one person and wounding another.

Pakistan

  • 16 Pakistani soldiers were killed in attacks in South Waziristan.
  • Two members of a Shiite militia were killed in an attack in Parachinar, Pakistan.
    • The killing led to protests by Pakistani Shiites.
  • Unidentified gunmen killed four members of the Pakistani security services in Bajaur, “including a high-ranking officer.”
  • A tribal leader allegedly “loyal to Pakistani intelligence” was beheaded by unknown individuals in South Waziristan.

 

1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletters 

Edition 475, Published December 26, 2024

  • There were no ISIS-K news items in this week’s al-Naba.

 

Edition 476, Published January 2, 2025

  • There were no ISIS-K news items in this week’s al-Naba.

 

2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter

  • December 21: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that former Pakistani politician Afrasiab Khattak has stated that ISIS’s power in Pakistan is increasing and that one of the group’s strengths is its ability to call for recruitment in multiple languages.

“#Follow-ups. Former Pakistani Senator Afrasiab Khattak: Terrorists are the next and rising regional power in Pakistan.

“Afrasiab says he witnessed the rise of the Mujahideen in the eighties and the Taliban in the nineties, but now he is witnessing the rise of terrorists in Pakistan.

“Afrasiab says that terrorists pose a danger because they possess dangerous international technology (meaning their intelligence using cross-border technology), i.e., calling people [to join them] by publishing books in many languages.”

 

  • December 21: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that 16 Pakistani soldiers were killed in South Waziristan and that a police officer was killed in an attack in Bajaur.

“Follow-ups. 16 Pakistani soldiers killed in an attack targeting their military site at dawn today in South Waziristan. A policeman was also killed in another attack in the Bajaur area.”

 

  • December 21: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that unidentified individuals attacked a Taliban vehicle near Taloqan, Takhar, killing one Taliban member. 

“Urgent. A sticky bomb planted in a vehicle belonging to the Taliban militia exploded in the ‘Sarai Sang’ area near Taloqan, the capital of Takhar, which resulted in the injury of a [Taliban] member, according to the initial toll.”

 

  • December 22: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that a “Sufi school” was lit on fire in Nangarhar province by unidentified individuals.

“Follow-ups. Armed men set fire to a Sufi school in the Afghan province of Nangarhar.”

 

  • December 22: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that two members of a Shiite militia were killed in an attack in Parachinar, Pakistan. The post claims that after the attack, “Sunni civilians” beheaded the corpses and left the heads in the street.

“Urgent. An armed attack targeted two members of the Shiite Zainebiyoun militia near the Pakistani city of Parachinar, which led to their immediate death. Then, Sunni civilians cut off the members’ heads and threw them in the street.”

 

“Urgent. Armed men assassinate the deputy commander of the fourth security region of the Afghan Taliban militia, the leader, Qari Zalmai, as a result of attacking him in the Charikar area in the center of the Afghan province of Parwan.” 

 

  • December 23: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified individuals attacked a Taliban checkpoint using explosives in Kabul.

“Urgent. An explosion targeted a security checkpoint for the Taliban militia in the seventh district of the capital, Kabul, which led to a large fire and reports of deaths and injuries.”

 

“Urgent. An armed attack inside the Indian embassy [sic] in the Afghan province of Nangarhar resulted in the death of an embassy [sic] employee and the injury of a translator, according to the initial toll.”

 

  • December 24: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram clarifying that the attack in Jalalabad targeted a vehicle being used by Indian consulate employees. The post claimed that one person was killed and two people were injured.

“Urgent. The attack targeted a vehicle carrying embassy [sic] employees. The attack has so far resulted in the death of one employee and the injury of two others.”

 

  • December 24: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram with additional information regarding the attack on Indian consulate personnel in Jalalabad. The post claims that an Afghan translator was wounded along with another individual and that the translator’s bodyguard was killed. The post claimed that the Taliban have not commented on the attack. 

Text: “The Afghan translator and a colleague of the Indian consulate in Jalalabad were injured, and his guard was killed. Sources from Nangarhar said that in the city of Jalalabad, the capital of the province, the Afghan translator and assistant, Wadood Khan, was shot today at the Indian consulate. According to the sources, his bodyguard was killed in the shooting, and he [Khan] and another person were injured. No one has yet admitted responsibility for this incident, and local Taliban officials have not said anything.”

“According to the sources, Wadood Khan’s car was shot at in Nakai Chowk or Adam Khan Four Way.”

“UPDATE. Some details of the Jalalabad attack in Nangarhar.”

 

  • December 25: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that the Pakistani military killed 46 people in raids in Paktika province, Afghanistan. The post noted that the Taliban stated their intention to respond.

“#Urgent. 46 people killed in Pakistani raids on areas in Paktika province, southern Afghanistan, and the Taliban vows to respond.”

 

  • December 25: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that 50 people were killed in “mutual shelling” between the Taliban and Pakistani government forces. The post claimed that “the large number of terrorist operations” in the area led to the clash.

“Follow-ups. Due to the exchange of accusations between the Afghan Taliban militia and the Pakistani government about the reason for the large number of terrorist operations targeting the Taliban militia and Pakistani forces, a clash and mutual shelling between the two parties resulted in the deaths of about 50 people on both sides.”

 

  • December 25: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram asking whether the Taliban will avenge the deaths of Afghan women and children killed by Pakistan.

“Update. Several children and women were killed as a result of Pakistani shelling on Afghan territory.

“And observers wonder: How will the Taliban militia responsible for providing security for them take revenge?

“Will it dare to strike the Pakistani army?

“We wait and see.”

 

  • December 25: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that Shiites in Parachinar, Pakistan, have been protesting following the recent killing of two leaders.

“Entertainment. Parachinar Shiites in Pakistan hold demonstrations demanding protection from attacks after gunmen killed two of their leaders a few days ago.”

 

“Urgent. An armed attack targeted a village headman in the Afghan city of Herat, which led to his immediate death.”

 

  • December 26: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified individuals murdered a former Afghan counterterrorism soldier in Parwan.

“Urgent. Armed men assassinate a former Afghan counterterrorism officer in front of his home in the desert area of ​​Taghbardi in Parwan.”

 

  • December 27: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified gunmen killed four members of the Pakistani security services in Bajaur, “including a high-ranking officer.”

“Urgent. Clashes between gunmen and Pakistani security forces in Bajaur, which led to the killing of four security personnel, including a high-ranking officer.”

 

  • December 28: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that the Taliban evacuated their side of the Kurram border area in ongoing clashes with Pakistan.

“#Urgent. Military sources: The Taliban evacuated the Kurram border after firing on six of its positions.

“The initial losses in the ranks of the Afghan Taliban and the Pakistani Taliban movement amounted to about 15 people, while three Pakistani soldiers were injured during the exchange of fire.”

 

“Urgent. News reports that about 17 members of the Afghan Taliban militia were killed as a result of an explosion of the Indian embassy.”

 

  • December 28: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that a Pakistani military camp in Dera Isamil Khan was attacked using a large car bomb. 

“Urgent. A car bomb carrying about a ton of materials targeted a Pakistani army camp in the Dera Ismail Khan area of ​​Khyber Pakhtunkhwa city. The extent of the losses is not yet known.”

 

  • December 28: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that an officer from Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior was wounded by an explosive hidden near a cricket stadium in South Waziristan.

“Urgent. An explosive device planted near a cricket stadium targeted an officer of the Pakistani Ministry of Interior in South Waziristan, seriously injuring him.”

 

  • December 29: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that a tribal leader allegedly “loyal to Pakistani intelligence” was beheaded by unknown individuals in South Waziristan.

“Urgent. The body of the leader of the local forces loyal to Pakistani intelligence, Sayed Kamal, was found headless in the South Waziristan region.”

 

  • December 30: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Taliban killed an imam, Sayed Mullah, for being a “Salafi” and a supporter of ISIS-K. The post alleged that the man was not a member of ISIS-K or a fighter affiliated with them. The post claimed that Mullah was killed in his home and that Taliban forces wounded his wife, mother, and two children. Please see https://www.etilaatroz.com/ps/30660. 

“Follow-ups. The Afghan Taliban militia launched a large-scale security operation using armored forces targeting an Afghan mosque imam called ‘Mullah Hamas’ in the province of Kunar on charges that he is a ‘Salafi’ and that his ideology is in line with the ideology of ISIS. They said there is information about his love for them, and he is not a fighter or a member of them. He just loves them and the people’s love for ‘Mullah Hamas’ and their gathering around him and their intensive attendance at his sermons. They killed him inside his home and seriously injured his wife and two children, as well as his mother.”

 

  • December 30: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that the Pakistani Army has taken over a section of the border with Afghanistan after the Taliban retreated.

“Urgent. News reports that the Pakistani Army has taken control of the Afghan Wakhan [Corridor] border crossing after Taliban militia elements fled.”

 

  • December 30: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified individuals attacked a vehicle in Rustaq, Takhar, killing one person and wounding another.

“Urgent. An armed attack targeted a vehicle in the Rustaq district of the Afghan province of Takhar, which led to the death of one person and the injury of another.”

 

  • December 30: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified gunmen killed one officer from “the Pakistani anti-terrorism forces in the Mansehra area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” and injured another. 

“Urgent. An armed attack targeted two officers of the Pakistani anti-terrorism forces in the Mansehra area of ​​Khyber Pakhtunkhwa city, which led to the death of one of them and the serious injury of the other.”

 

  • December 31: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified militants attacked Pakistani military and police forces, killing or wounding 20 in Bannu district.

“Urgent. Several attacks using explosive devices have targeted the Pakistani army and police forces since the early hours of this morning until now, resulting in the killing and wounding of about 20 soldiers and personnel. The toll is preliminary.”

 

  • December 31: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that there was an explosion near a gate to Bagram Airport in Parwan.

“#Afghanistan. Hearing the sound of an explosion near one of the gates of Bagram Military Airport in Parwan Province today, Tuesday 12/31/2024.”

 

  • December 31: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan took credit for an attack on the convoy belonging to the Taliban minister of energy and water, Abdul Latif Mansour, in Kabul. The post noted that one of the minister’s bodyguards was killed, and two were injured.

“#Afghanistan. An attack targeted the convoy of the Taliban’s minister of energy and water, Abdul Latif Mansour, in the Khair Khana neighborhood in the capital, Kabul, today, Tuesday, 12/31/2024.

“It led to the killing of one of his bodyguards and the injury of two other guards, while the ‘National Resistance Front’ claimed responsibility for the attack.”

 

  • January 2: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that a Western organization [Afghan Witness] wrote that the killing of Khalil Haqqani had led to “a major shock and destabilization” among the Taliban, including accusations that some members of the Taliban had assisted ISIS. The post also noted that the Haqqani Network had allegedly moved its headquarters to Khost from Kabul and that trust among Taliban leaders has decreased since the attack. 

“Follow-ups. A center specializing in studying wars and conflicts in Central Asia recently spoke about the effects of the assassination of [Khalil] Haqqani, which caused a major shock and destabilization in the ranks of the Taliban militia.

“The center: The assassination of Haqqani was the most prominent assassination to hit the militia since they took power from the United States of America.

“The center: The assassination of Haqqani caused tensions and an exchange of accusations among the leaders of the Afghan militia between those accused of collusion and others [accused] of working for the terrorists.

“The center: As a result of these accusations, the Haqqani Network, which is involved in the Taliban government, moved its headquarters from Kabul to Khost.

“The center: Trust has been lost among the leaders of the Taliban militia as a result of the terrorist strike.

“The center: The disintegration of the ranks of the Taliban leads to serious risks, not the least of which is the control of the terrorists over the country, and the Taliban is now forced to be threatened with losing control over Afghanistan, and the future of the militia has become unclear.”

 

  • January 3: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that three Pakistani soldiers were kidnapped at a checkpoint in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Urgent. Armed men set up a security checkpoint in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa city, arrest three Pakistani army personnel, and take them to an unknown location.”

 

3. ISIS Amaq/Nashir Statements

There were no Amaq/Nashir statements between December 21 and January 3.

 

4. ISIS-K Linked Al-Azaim Web Magazine Voice of Khorasan Issue 42, Released on December 21, 2024 

Afghanistan Related Articles:

Article 1: From Tie-Wearing Slaves to Turbaned Deceivers

  • The Taliban are described as “merchants of faith” but have chosen to side with “the devil.”
  • The Taliban follow a religion designed by the Americans during negotiations in Doha, Qatar.
    • This religion is a perversion of faith.
  • The words of Taliban leaders and spokespeople are worthless because:
    • They lie.
      • This includes lying about being religious and lying about defeating ISIS-K.
      • They cover up old lies with new lies.
      • ISIS-K proves the Taliban’s lies with each attack.
      • Even some young Taliban followers are aware of the lies of their leaders and are angry about the secularism of the Taliban.
      • The Taliban have endorsed bank interest, nonreligious taxation, and U.S. aid packages. This is the same as the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
      • Hibatullah Akhundzada is propped up by American money, and his promises of an Islamic order are a mirage. He has allowed bank interest, forbidden religiously mandated fighting, and forbidden religiously mandated punishments.
      • Akhundzada has lied about implementing religious penal codes.
    • Taliban leaders have not implemented religious law.
      • Three years after being given power, the Taliban have not implemented religious law. They have promised to do so but have delayed its implementation.
      • The modern “Taliban leadership is characterized by injustice, bribery, arbitrary punishments, theft, corruption, and degeneracy.”
      • The U.S. finances the Taliban and want to keep the cash flowing.
      • This has led to dissatisfaction among the lower ranks of the Taliban.
    • Taliban spokesmen have imitated “infidel media.”
      • The Taliban have cited American and Iraqi politicians in criticizing ISIS.
      • The Taliban accept the blasphemy of the Americans if it serves the purposes of the leadership.
      • The Taliban will deceive others for their own interests.
    • Constant lying leads to the devaluation of Taliban claims.
      • The current border fights between the Taliban and the Pakistani government are fake. For the past 30 years, the two have been friendly and shared intelligence information, and Taliban leaders own property in Pakistan.
      • This enmity between the two is fake and meant to make the Taliban seem legitimate.
      • The Taliban have also sought to create friendships with the Iranian government.

Infographic

isis-k linked al azaim dec 21 2024

 

Article 4: The Pharaoh Was Overthrown but His Successor Was Samiri

  • Authoritarian governments were overthrown during the Arab Spring, “but in their place, other tyrants took power, surpassing their predecessors in disbelief, oppression, brutality, and barbarism.”
  • The article describes the beginning of the uprising against Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian Civil War.
  • The article describes Abu Mohammad al-Jolani’s relationship with and eventual betrayal of ISIS.
  • Jolani was described as breaking his pledge of allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
  • Hayat Tahir al-Sham (HTS) is alleged to have abandoned the fight against Assad and have endorsed nationalism.
  • The West is fearful of an ISIS resurgence in Syria.
  • To fight against ISIS in Syria, the U.S. and other countries will unite behind Jolani as a nationalist leader, comparing him to Hibatullah Akhundzada in Afghanistan.
  • Jolani, like the Taliban, is seeking the approval and support of the West.
    • HTS has told religious minorities in Syria that they will be protected.
  • The government has not instituted religious law and has stated that they have no intention of creating an Islamic state.
  • The Syrian government lacks a religious foundation and supports nationalism.
  • The Taliban have claimed to be allied with al-Qaeda and also support Jolani.
  • The Taliban have also claimed to support Hamas, Iran, and Russia.
    • This shows the hypocrisy of the Taliban, who can claim to support both HTS and their enemies, Iran and Russia.
  • Jolani has publicly endorsed democracy.
  • Turkish officials have visited Syria, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken has visited the area. The article alleged that this is reminiscent of “how the Taliban revolution originated from the U.S. al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.” The article alleged that the current Syrian government has emerged from the U.S. air base in Incirlik, Turkey.
  • The Syrian government has also announced that they will seek good relations with their neighbors and fight against ISIS.
    • To allow the fight against ISIS in the region to continue, the Syrian government has allegedly claimed they will allow U.S. and Russian bases to continue operations.
  • The Jolani/HTS takeover of Syria is a more advanced version of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. The U.S. engineered both to weaken ISIS.
  • Both HTS and the Taliban claim they want the support of all people within their national borders, the support of the United Nations, the West, and Russia.
  • Neither HTS nor the Taliban have instituted religious law.
  • Both groups have problems with ISIS (the true believers) but do not quarrel with others, including secular groups, religious minorities, etc.
  • The Taliban receive weekly payments from the U.S., and soon, the Syrian government will as well.
  • Both groups believe in the fixity of “Sykes-Picot” borders.

 

5. Pro-ISIS Al-Jahaur Media Center Web Magazine Serat ul Haq Issue 5, Released on December 25, 2024

Article 2: We Stand with You O Brave Brothers

  • The article condemns the Taliban for developing diplomatic and commercial relationships with the Chinese government.
    • The article accuses the Chinese government of seeking to wipe out that country’s Muslim population.
    • The Taliban have declared this abuse a Chinese internal matter.
    • The Taliban only care about wealth and power.
Counterpoint Series
Afghanistan