Since 2021, the security dynamics of Afghanistan have changed significantly. The Taliban, which was previously considered the main security threat in Afghanistan, has now become the ruling power. Meanwhile, Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP) has become the main threat. Although anti-Taliban armed groups are also part of the new Afghan security dynamics, the threat posed by ISKP is more prominent than other dynamics, due to its nature and goals.

Mapping IKP Attacks in Afghanistan

Since 2021, the security dynamics of Afghanistan have changed significantly. The Taliban, which was previously considered the main security threat in Afghanistan, has now become the ruling power. Meanwhile, Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP) has become the main threat. Although anti-Taliban armed groups are also part of the new Afghan security dynamics, the threat posed by ISKP is more prominent than other dynamics, due to its nature and goals.

The Institute for East Strategic Studies 

Javid Hosseini and Samaneh Akhgari*

Since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan, the most significant threat facing this government has been ISKP. In the last two years, ISKP has expanded its attacks beyond Afghanistan, and its scope of activity has become regional.

Given the importance of Afghanistan’s geography and the impact of its security developments on neighboring countries, as well as the regional threats posed by Islamic State of Khorasan Province, the IESS Afghanistan Working Group regularly monitors and records the group’s attacks. The results of this monitoring are published in the form of infographic maps.

The latest map published here covers ISKP activity up to December 11, 2024, with 306 recorded attacks.

Click here to see the high-quality map.

*Researcher fellows at the Institute for East Strategic Studies.