US Department of Defense: IS-K Will Have Capability to Attack US Mainland in 6 Months

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The U.S. Department of Defense has stated that the Islamic State's Afghanistan branch, IS-K, could acquire the capability to attack the U.S. mainland within as soon as six months, raising concerns about terrorist threats in the international community. As the Taliban reasserted control over Afghanistan, causing turmoil in neighboring countries, both IS-K and al-Qaeda have begun efforts to rebuild their forces, and the U.S. government is reportedly struggling to eliminate terrorist organizations within Afghanistan.

According to CNN and other foreign media on the 26th (local time), Colin Kahl, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense for Policy, testified before Congress, saying, "Intelligence agencies currently assess that both IS-K and al-Qaeda intend to carry out external operations against the United States, but they do not yet have the capability to do so. However, in the case of IS-K, there is a possibility that they will acquire the capability to attack the U.S. mainland within six to twelve months," he warned. He added, "As for al-Qaeda, it is expected that they could acquire the capability to attack the U.S. mainland in about one to two years."

Concerns about the rebuilding efforts of international terrorist organizations such as IS-K and al-Qaeda have been present since the Taliban recaptured Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, in August. As the political situation in Afghanistan became unstable, many terrorists who had been scattered across Central Asian countries entered Afghanistan, especially around border areas. U.S. intelligence agencies estimate that around 10,000 members have flowed into terrorist organizations such as IS-K and al-Qaeda’s Afghanistan branches this year, CNN reported.

The U.S. government is also struggling with operations to eliminate terrorist organizations within Afghanistan. According to the Associated Press, U.S. forces are currently focusing on drone strikes against terrorist bases in Afghanistan by using Pakistani airspace. However, the Taliban has protested these drone attacks as violations of their airspace, and Pakistan, a Sunni Islamic regime like the Taliban, has been reluctant to cooperate with the U.S., causing difficulties in the operation.