A photo of a TTP member. PHOTO: FILE
The Russian Foreign Ministry has said that between 20,000 and 23,000 terrorist fighters are currently operating in Afghanistan, more than half of whom are foreign nationals.
According to the ministry’s report, the total number of terrorists from international organizations active in Afghanistan is estimated at 20,000 to 23,000, more than half of whom are foreign fighters.
Key groups include ISIS, with around 3,000 members; the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has between 5,000 and 7,000 members; Al-Qaeda, with between 400 and 1,500 members; the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which has 300 to 1,200 members; the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), now called the Turkestan Islamic Party, with between 150 and 500 members; and Jamaat Ansarullah, with approximately 150 to 250 members.
The report said the TTP, mainly based in southeast and eastern Afghanistan, continues to focus its attacks on Pakistan, increasing tensions between the two countries.
He highlighted the activities of Islamic State-K (Khorasan), which he said has set up training camps and sleeper cells in several regions of Afghanistan. Although ISIS-K does not pose a direct threat to the current Taliban regime, its attacks have significant “reputational consequences,” aimed at undermining public confidence in the Taliban’s ability to maintain security.
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The group is mainly active in the east, north and northeast and seeks to expand into Central Asia to establish a new caliphate, according to the report.
He adds that Afghan security forces are actively neutralizing ISIS cells despite continuing attacks. The operations made it possible to eliminate small groups of terrorists and uncover weapons caches. The Taliban also took action against mosques where extremist ideas similar to those of ISIS were preached, excluding these individuals from public institutions and the education sector.
Despite a reported reduction in ISIS activity, high-profile attacks continued in 2025 and 2026, including an attack on theologians in Baghlan, the killing of a Chinese citizen in Takhar, and the bombing of a crowd in Kunduz.
Al-Qaeda reportedly maintains extensive networks in the provinces of Ghazni, Laghman, Kunar, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Parwan and Urozgan. The report said the group is using Afghanistan as a base to expand its regional influence by establishing ties with other extremist organizations.
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The ministry also said Afghanistan’s armed opposition remained fragmented and largely ineffective in challenging the Taliban. Groups such as the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan and the Afghan Freedom Front have carried out limited raids and surprise attacks, mainly confined to Panjshir, Badakhshan and Baghlan.
Regarding narcotics, the report indicates that Afghanistan remains a major producer despite the Taliban’s efforts to curb poppy cultivation. Poppy acreage fell 20% in 2025, but methamphetamine production surged.
Trafficking in synthetic drugs, including methamphetamine, increased by 50% between 2023 and 2024, the report said.
