Former Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh, who recently distanced himself from the Resistance Front and gathered several disillusioned members, is reportedly working to establish an (ISIS) formation in northern Afghanistan under the directive of foreign intelligence agencies.
According to reports, this project involves coordination with Daesh Khorasan, with Saleh providing logistical and operational support. However, activities will be carried out under the ISIS banner, or in some cases, directly by his associates under the ISIS name.
Information obtained by Voice of Hindukush suggest that the main objective of this project is to target individuals from opposing or rival nations inside Afghanistan, particularly in the northern provinces, following directives from certain intelligence agencies.
Additionally, the project aims to create instability in countries that maintain strong ties with Afghanistan’s current interim government, fostering distrust between Afghanistan and its northern neighbors. Some reports indicate that this project may also be part of broader efforts to expand ISIS operations into Central Asia.
According to information received by Voice of Hindukush confirms that Saleh has appointed a key figure, previously holding a significant position within the Resistance Front, to lead the project. Saleh has also recently undertaken foreign trips regarding this project.
According to verified information obtained by Voice of Hindukush, Saleh has a history of links to ISIS. During the fallen republic, he was allegedly involved in a ISIS-led attack on Kabul University that resulted in the deaths and injuries of numerous students. The attackers were reportedly sheltered in a secure location in Kabul under Saleh’s protection and transported to the attack site by his associates. Furthermore, the mastermind behind the attack allegedly remained in direct contact with Saleh until the final moments.
In 2022, ISIS carried out a rocket attack on Tajikistan. Reports indicate that this attack was facilitated by the Resistance Front, which allegedly provided rockets to Daesh Khorasan for the operation.
Analysts believe that the interim government’s special forces have significantly weakened ISIS presence in Afghanistan. As a result, they argue that Saleh’s alleged new project—and new ISIS formation reportedly backed by regional intelligence—will surely fail to achieve its objectives.
