21Received 19.07.2024. Revised 03.10.2024. Accepted 29.11.2024.
Abstract. The article is devoted to the nature and consequences of the existential confrontation of regional significance between ISIL-Khorasan and the Taliban in the modern conditions that have developed in recent years against the background of significant differences between the terrorist organization and the Taliban in power. The author emphasizes that the serious rivalry between the two Islamist organizations for the “minds and sentiments” of the people has to a large extent acquired an existential character. The author states the global nature and goal of ISIL-Khorasan to create a transnational caliphate in the historical area of Greater Khorasan, which is completely different from the Taliban’s national agenda. It is emphasized that the group pays great attention to discrediting rival jihadist organizations and religious figures who oppose it. It emphasizes the aggressive nature of ISIL-Khorasan, which has plans to overthrow the governments of regional states. ISIL-Khorasan’s campaign of recruitment of Afghans and ideological propaganda led to armed conflict with the Taliban. It notes the remarkable resilience of ISIL-Khorasan, despite heavy losses, and strengthening of the group’s position after the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan. It is concluded that the ongoing terrorist activity of ISIL-Khorasan leads to the undermining of Kabul’s efforts to stabilize the internal situation in the country, complicates the solution of humanitarian and socio-economic problems, discredits the Taliban regime in the eyes of the local population and the international community, and poses a threat to regional states.
Keywords: ISIL-Khorasan, Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Afghanistan, jihadism, wahhabism, salafism
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