VIVA World – The ISIS group has a stronger presence in Afghanistan than the previous year following the withdrawal of United States troops in August 2021, said the US general for the Middle East, Thursday, March 23, 2023. Speaking before the House Armed Services Committee, commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM ) General Michael ‘Erik’ Kurilla said: “Now ISIS is stronger in Afghanistan.”
“Are we looking at working with ISIS in Afghanistan and other elements, such as in Syria and Europe?” Republican Congressman Mike Waltz asked Kurilla.
“ISIS is a global organization. They have an organization called the Al-Siddiq office which is in charge of all ISIS from Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India to Indonesia,” Kurilla said.
“They often communicate with the head of ISIS, the global affiliate,” he said. Regarding threats from Iran, Kurilla said that US troops had been attacked by Iran 78 times since January 2021. “They are using Iranian proxies — either UAVs (drones) or rockets — to be able to attack our troops in Iraq or Syria,” he said.
Responding to a question whether these attacks were considered an act of war, Kurilla emphasized that the attacks were carried out by Iranian proxies. (Antara)
Source: Viva