Gouverneur von Kunduz warnt vor ISIS-Kämpfern

Für diejenigen hier, die sich noch an Ortsnamen wie Dasht-e Archi und Char Darrah erinnern können: Die zwei Distrikte nahe der nordafghanischen Stadt Kunduz drohten zu einem Sammelbecken für Kämpfer der islamistischen ISIS-Terrormilizen zu werden, warnt der Provinzgouverneur in einem Gespräch mit der afghanischen Nachrichtenagentur Pajhwok:

The governor of northeastern Kunduz province said that an inclusive strategy was needed to deal with the alarming situation as dozens of members of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) had sneaked into the province.

Governor Mohammad Omar Safi during an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News said nearly 70 ISIS militants had started activities in Dasht-e Archi and Chardara districts.
Dasht-e Atchi has been turned into a training centre for Taliban, Jundullah and the newly arrived ISIS insurgents operating in Kunduz, Takhar, Baghlan, Badakhshan and Faryab provinces, he warned.

Hinweise darauf, dass ISIS trotz der Fokussierung auf den Nahen Osten auch in Afghanistan und Pakistan Zulauf hat, gab es in den vergangenen Wochen schon öfter. Mitte Januar hatte Associated Press von Aktivitäten in Helmand berichtet:

Afghan officials confirmed for the first time Monday that the extremist Islamic State group is active in the south, recruiting fighters, flying black flags and, according to some sources, even battling Taliban militants.
The sources, including an Afghan general and a provincial governor, said a man identified as Mullah Abdul Rauf was actively recruiting fighters for the group, which controls large parts of Syria and Iraq.

Der Kommandeur der US- und NATO-Truppen in Afghanistan, US-General John Campbell, hatte ebenfalls von ISIS-Rekrutierungsbemühungen am Hindukusch berichtet. Allerdings sei die Zahl noch recht gering.

Nachtrag: Dazu aktuell von AFP:

Australia’s foreign minister said Monday there is a danger of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) expanding operations to Afghanistan, even though there is little evidence of a presence there now.
Julie Bishop, hosting Britain’s Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and Defence Secretary Michael Fallon for annual security talks, said she was made aware of „some evidence of a connection“ between ISIS and extreme elements of the Taliban on a recent visit to Afghanistan.