The recent attack on a Moscow concert hall by ISIS-K has brought to light the ongoing threat of Islamist terrorism and the group's expanding ambitions beyond its strongholds in Afghanistan. ISIS-K, an autonomous 'province' of the Islamic State, has demonstrated its ability to launch attacks not only in Afghanistan but also in Pakistan, Iran, and central Asia.
With an estimated strength of 4,000 to 6,000 fighters, ISIS-K has been led by Sanaullah Ghafari since 2020 and has shown resilience in the face of efforts by the Taliban and the United States to eliminate it from eastern Afghanistan. The group has been responsible for various attacks, including the devastating suicide bombing at Kabul airport in 2021.
