UN report debunks Taliban claims on terrorism, highlights persistent threats from Afghan soil

The latest United Nations Security Council report from the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team has delivered a damning indictment of the security landscape in Afghanistan, unequivocally dismissing the Taliban interim government's repeated assertions that its territory is not being exploited by terrorist organizations.

Submitted in late 2025, the 16th report underscores the ongoing activities of numerous militant groups within Afghanistan, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), Al Qaeda, the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM/TIP), and others. It warns that these entities continue to pose significant risks, transforming Afghanistan into a growing hub of regional instability.

The Monitoring Team explicitly states that the Taliban's denials of hosting or facilitating terrorist operations are "not credible," revealing a profound disconnect between official assurances and on-ground evidence. Member states have consistently reported the presence and operational freedom of over 20 international and regional terrorist outfits, many of which utilize Afghan soil for recruitment, training, planning, and launching cross-border attacks.

Particular attention is drawn to the TTP, described as the most immediate and severe threat to Pakistan. The group maintains sanctuaries in Afghanistan, benefiting from varying degrees of support from elements within the Taliban leadership. Despite some internal Taliban factions viewing the TTP as a potential liability due to strained bilateral relations, historic ties and ideological alignments make meaningful action against the group unlikely.

In 2025 alone, the TTP orchestrated more than 600 attacks within Pakistan, many characterized as complex operations originating from Afghan bases. Several involved Afghan nationals executing suicide missions, further illustrating the cross-border dimension of the threat.

The report also notes Al Qaeda's deepening integration with the TTP, effectively "blending" operations in a permissive environment, regardless of explicit Taliban approval. This symbiosis enhances Al Qaeda's ability to regroup, train, and sustain influence amid a low-profile presence across multiple provinces.

Compounding regional tensions, periodic border closures prompted by security incidents have inflicted substantial economic damage on Afghanistan, with daily losses estimated at nearly $1 million due to disrupted trade and transit.

On a positive note, the UN document commends Pakistan's robust counter-terrorism initiatives, spotlighting the May 2025 arrest of ISKP spokesperson and key propagandist Sultan Aziz Azzam. This high-profile operation, conducted near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, has notably degraded ISKP's media outreach and operational coordination. Combined with international partnerships, Pakistan's efforts have neutralized senior commanders, disrupted plots, and diminished the group's overall footprint.

These findings validate longstanding concerns raised by Pakistan regarding terrorist safe havens in Afghanistan and underscore the urgent need for concerted international action to address the evolving threats emanating from the region. As militant networks exploit divisions and permissive conditions, the report serves as a stark reminder that unaddressed terrorism in Afghanistan continues to endanger broader peace and security.