NEW YORK (MNN); The United Nations Security Council on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the Monitoring Team that assists the 1988 Afghanistan Sanctions Committee, which oversees sanctions imposed on the Taliban, for another year.
All 15 members of the Council voted in favor of the US-drafted resolution, renewing the team’s mandate until February 17, 2027. The extension comes amid rising international concern over Afghanistan’s worsening security situation, the growing presence of multiple terrorist groups, and the risk of broader regional instability.
Pakistan backed the resolution and highlighted the continuing threats posed by Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIL-K), the Majeed Brigade, and Al-Qaeda.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said these groups have carried out some of the most heinous terrorist attacks against Pakistan, including incidents this month that claimed 80 lives. He stated that Afghan territory had once again been used to plan and coordinate attacks against neighboring countries.
He emphasized that it is up to the Taliban to decide whether Afghanistan will remain isolated or move toward peace and prosperity as a responsible member of the international community.
The Pakistani envoy also underlined concerns about Afghanistan’s dire humanitarian situation, noting that the resolution highlights severe human rights conditions, especially for women and girls, economic collapse, political exclusion, and the challenges posed by drug trafficking.
Through the resolution, the Security Council sent a clear message that Afghan territory must not serve as a safe haven for terrorists and that all member states must prevent ransom payments or political concessions that benefit hostage-takers or terrorist groups.
The UN Monitoring Team’s 37th report, released this week, described Afghanistan as a base for several terrorist organizations. It said the de facto Afghan authorities continue to provide a permissive environment for certain groups, particularly TTP. No UN member state supported the Afghan authorities’ claim that terrorist groups are not present in the country.
While the Afghan authorities have taken action against ISIL-K and have limited some external activities of other groups, TTP has reportedly enjoyed greater operational freedom, leading to an escalation in attacks against Pakistan and increased regional tensions.
Regarding Al-Qaeda, the report said the group’s intent and capability to conduct external operations remain intact. It continues to function as a training and advisory hub, especially for TTP, and favors high-profile attacks designed to attract global media attention.
The report also pointed to the continued activity of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) in southeastern Afghanistan, particularly in areas influenced by the Haqqani Network. According to the report, AQIS leaders Osama Mahmoud and deputy Yahya Ghauri are believed to be in Kabul, with the group’s media operations based in Herat.
Member states warned that AQIS appears to be focusing increasingly on deniable external operations, possibly operating through front groups to avoid creating difficulties for the Taliban.
TTP, described as one of the largest terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan, has intensified attacks on Pakistani security forces and state institutions. A November 11 attack on a courthouse in Islamabad killed 12 people, marking the first such strike in the capital in several years. Despite operational setbacks, including the killing of deputy emir Mufti Muzahim in October, the group remains a significant threat.
The Monitoring Team cautioned that TTP could deepen cooperation with Al-Qaeda-aligned groups, potentially expanding the threat beyond the region.
ISIL-K, although under pressure from Taliban measures and regional counterterrorism efforts, retains substantial combat capability, particularly in northern Afghanistan near Badakhshan and along the Pakistani border. The group continues to recruit online and seeks alliances with other armed factions.
Other groups of concern include the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM/TIP), which reportedly benefits from Afghan patronage, including identity documents, and raises funds through poppy cultivation and mining. Around 250 ETIM/TIP members reportedly joined Taliban police forces in 2025. Some members have called for fighters in Syria and neighboring countries to relocate to Afghanistan in preparation for operations in China’s Xinjiang region.
The Baloch Liberation Army, though not listed under UN sanctions, has carried out attacks on Pakistani security forces and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, including a September 16 ambush that killed 32 soldiers. While Pakistani counterterrorism operations have restricted its activities, some member states reported coordination between BLA, TTP, and ISIL-K through shared training and resources.
The findings of the Monitoring Team are expected to guide further discussions at the Security Council on Afghanistan’s security trajectory and the effectiveness of the current sanctions regime.
Pakistan and other member states stressed that the resolution underscores the need for the Taliban to take sustained and verifiable action against terrorist groups, prevent Afghan territory from being used for cross-border attacks, and uphold commitments to international peace and security.
