ISIS shifts focus from Afghanistan to major global targets

ISIS is increasingly using crypto currencies and online payment systems.

The latest report from the analytical support and sanctions monitoring team of the United Nations Security Council has stated that the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant—Khorasan (ISIL-K), an affiliate of ISIS, has grown significantly, with the group expanding its operations beyond its traditional strongholds in the Middle East.

The report has stated that it is attempting to increase its presence in India, where it has released propaganda aimed at exacerbating Hindu-Muslim tensions and has sought to recruit lone actors through local handlers.

The findings come as a concern for security agencies globally and in India, with ISIL-K now actively targeting a range of countries and leveraging a sophisticated network of operatives and supporters.

The report, which is based on the inputs from the ground and after meeting UN member countries, has stated that ISIL-K’s activities have markedly increased in recent months, reflecting a strategic shift from high-impact operations within Afghanistan to conducting large-scale attacks beyond its borders.

The group’s reorientation is evident from the significant terrorist attack in Moscow on 22 March 2024, which resulted in 145 fatalities and several hundred injuries. This attack underscores ISIL-K’s capability to strike far from its base and highlights the growing threat it poses to global security.

The expansion of ISIL-K’s operations is not confined to direct attacks. The group has also focused on building a network of facilitators and supporters across various regions. This network includes recruitment and training of foreign fighters from Central Asia, the Middle East, and other regions. Central Asian nationals, including Tajiks and Uzbeks, have been particularly targeted for recruitment, with some travelling to Afghanistan for training before returning to their home countries or moving to other regions to execute attacks.