Twenty-five years after the September 11 terrorist attacks, reports from international intelligence agencies and the United Nations confirm that Al-Qaeda and its regional rivals are systematically re-establishing operational bases across Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
According to a report published by The Washington Post, Al-Qaeda and its affiliated networks have established at least eight new bases spanning 14 Afghan provinces. Colin Smith, coordinator of the UN Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, stated that core Al-Qaeda operatives in the country now primarily function as an operational and tactical consulting framework for local insurgent groups, providing specialized training in covert operations, intelligence security, and suicide bombing techniques—notably assisting Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The Times of Israel+ 1
Simultaneously, Al-Qaeda’s main adversary, Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K), has expanded its footprint in northern Afghanistan, maintaining an estimated 2,000 active members. Intelligence assessments indicate that while these groups are leveraging modern technologies—including artificial intelligence, drone warfare, and encrypted communications—their immediate focus remains directed toward regional conflicts rather than large-scale Western strike operations.
