The Taliban, after distancing themselves from Afghanistan, distanced themselves from the Islamic State and on Thursday, the Taliban condemned the Kabul airport attack, the responsibility of which was later claimed by the Islamic State. The Taliban, in its statement, blamed the US for the attack and said the attack took place due to the presence of foreign troops at the airport.
Commenting on the blast and how the Taliban washed their hands of the massacre that took the lives of about 100 people, self-proclaimed Afghan President Amrullah Saleh said the Taliban had learned from its master Pakistan its links with ISIS they embarrass. There is evidence to show that the Islamic State-Khorasan province (IS-K) has links to the Taliban and the Haqqani network.
“All the evidence we have on hand shows that IS-K cells have their roots in the Talibs & Haqqani network, especially those operating in Kabul. Talibs denying links to ISIS are identical/similar to Pakistan’s denial. Talibs have learned very well from the master. #Kabul, “Saleh said in a tweet.
The Haqqani network is known as the most radical and violent branch of the Islamist movement. It has carried out the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan in the last 20 years. The group was founded by Jalaluddin Haqqani, who was a valuable CIA asset in the 1980s. He later joined the Taliban and served as Minister between 1996 and 2001.
The twin explosions near Kabul airport followed by another explosion after midnight at a time when foreign forces were deployed to evacuate their citizens from Afghanistan had all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack. The Taliban’s official stance, as they have made clear, is anti-terrorism, and they say that Afghanistan is not being used as a breeding ground for terrorism.
Following the withdrawal of Western troops and the fall of the Afghan government, there appears to be a power struggle, but former Vice President and Panjshir Resistance leader Amrullah Saleh declare that the Taliban, Haqqani and the Islamic State-Khorasan province are all together.