Afghanistan (MNN) — Terror groups in Afghanistan are at odds with one another. Nehemiah Paul with FMI says since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2021, the country’s terror network has grown in number but not in unity. ISIS fighters, who have a strong presence in Afghanistan, consider the Taliban to be too liberal.
“They are fighting against the Taliban now. Before that, they were one organization or they were playing together, but now they are against each other,” Paul says.
Many Taliban fighters have left the Taliban to join ISIS.
“And they know everything about Talibans. They know their whereabouts. They know how they operate, so it’s very strategic for ISIS to fight against Talibans in Afghanistan,” Paul says.
The ISIS Mindset
Afghanistan has seen several Taliban leaders killed in the last six months. Paul says ISIS fighters hold the opinion that infidels can be dealt with later, whereas theologically problematic leaders must be addressed immediately.
Paul says this strategy has played out in Syria and parts of Asia, where ISIS fights not only “infidels” but also anyone who opposes Sharia law or their regional expansion strategy.
“They want to make one region, and they call this Khorasan: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal,” Paul says.
Khorasan region, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
He says there is a reason so many lone wolf attacks are claimed by ISIS.
“This ISIS ideology is not about organization. It’s about the mindset.”
Your Place in the Story
FMI serves in Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
A region known as Balochistan has the highest known presence of ISIS fighters and is a hub of terrorist activity. Paul calls it the “Wild Wild West of Pakistan.” Please pray for FMI partners on the ground in this region: that God would open doors for them to enter towns controlled by either ISIS or the Taliban. Pray that believers would boldly speak the Gospel when prompted by the Holy Spirit, and ask the Lord to soften hearts across the Middle East.
When Paul asks his colleagues how to pray, they respond with a clear answer:
“Please pray for the Taliban. Please pray for ISIS. Jesus is the only hope who can provide eternal life and salvation.”
Header image courtesy of Unsplash.
