Despite threats to the Taliban in Afghanistan from other radical groups, they have mounted some significant operations. The militants have posed major challenges to the state security forces in several key parts of the country. Speculation that the expansion of Daesh (the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) in Afghanistan was triggering fissures in the Taliban, given that the presence of a parallel force of radicals was fuelling growing discord in their ranks, was brushed aside with three key military manoeuvres against government forces: The siege of Kunduz in the north; overrunning of a crucial district in the southern province of Helmand and yesterday’s daring attack on the parliament in Kabul.
There has been confirmation that Daesh has registered a presence in Afghanistan and has engaged the Taliban in a battle for superiority. Records of deadly fighting in the south and eastern areas of the country have been made with several beheadings of Taliban militants in the Nangarhar area bordering Pakistan. If this is true, then Afghan President Ashraf Gani could have a dual problem on his hands, though Daesh forces are currently much lower than Taliban numbers. To Gani’s advantage, if there is one at all, the Taliban could also be distracted from their bigger goal of taking over the country — thanks to this power struggle.
The Afghan government’s war with the Taliban is in its 14th year. With a new conundrum on the horizon, it will be prudent for both parties to push for a peace deal. Several key informal discussions have taken place, but the foundation must be an immediate cessation of hostilities. The government forces, who have suffered record casualties already, are bracing for a fresh onslaught by the Taliban. Yesterday’s attack on the parliament may have been repulsed, but it will hold a symbolic importance for the Taliban who have illustrated their capacity of striking at the country’s most important institution. Gani must also raise the alarm for renewed assistance from the US, given that the morale and will of his military are going to be stress-tested in the coming months.
