Afghanistan Content Report

April 13 – April 19, 2024

Please note that all items in this issue are concerning ISIS-K

Table of contents

1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletter Edition 439, Published April 18, 2024
2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter
3. ISIS Amaq Statements
4. Pro-ISIS Al-Azaim Pamphlet “Yet Another Eid and the Continuation of Deception,” Released April 13, 2024

Main points (Pro-ISIS online chatter)

• The Taliban supported Iranian airstrikes against Israel.
• Mohammad Omar Jan Akhundzada, a religious leader connected to the Taliban and Hibatullah Akhundzada's advisor, was shot and killed in Quetta, Pakistan, by unidentified assailants.

1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletter Edition 439 Published April 18, 2024

• “Taliban [fuel] tanks burned in [an] explosion in Kabul.”

“Several fuel tanks belonging to the Taliban militia burned this week due to an explosion by the Caliphate soldiers north of Kabul. In the details, by the grace of God Almighty, on Tuesday (30 Ramadan), the Caliphate soldiers detonated an explosive device attached to an oil tank[er] belonging to the apostate Taliban militia in the Qala-e-Murad Beg area north of Kabul, which resulted in its destruction and the ignition of other [fuel] tanks, praise be to God. Local pages circulated video clips of fires burning in the place from long distances.”

• “Last week.”

“Last week, the soldiers of the Caliphate in Khorasan Province assassinated a leader in one of the apostate political parties, killed a Pakistani police officer, and wounded another with an explosion that targeted them in the Bajaur border area.”

2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter

• April 14: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Taliban supported Iran launching missiles at Israel as “a legitimate defense.” 

“The Taliban declared that Iran’s response to Israel was a legitimate defense.

“#Secular winery.”

• April 19: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that unknown gunmen killed Mohammad Omar Jan Akhundzada, a Taliban-affiliated religious official and advisor to Hibatullah Akhundzada, in Quetta, Pakistan.

“#Pakistan. An advisor to the Taliban emir was killed in Pakistan.

“Mohammad Omar Jan Akhundzada was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Quetta yesterday.”

3. ISIS Amaq Statements

There were no Amaq claims of responsibility for Afghanistan between April 13 and April 19.

4. Pro-ISIS Al-Azaim Pamphlet “Yet Another Eid and the Continuation of Deception,” Released April 13, 2024

• A 32-page Pashto language pamphlet released from the pro-ISIS-K propaganda outlet al-Azaim in response to Hibatullah Akhundzada’s Eid sermon on April 10.

Summary:

• The Taliban supports China.
• The Taliban grants foreigners in Afghanistan peace and security.
• The Taliban originally fought against the U.S. but later decided to abandon their struggle and make a deal. 
• The Taliban do not carry out religiously mandated punishments.
• The Taliban are corrupt.
  • If religiously mandated punishments were enacted, the Taliban would have to be punished first.
• The Prophet Muhammad fought against disbelievers, while the Taliban made deals with them.