Islamic State–Taliban conflict

During the original stint in power of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in the late 1990s, the ruling Taliban had pursued a policy of suppressing Salafism; motivated by strict Deobandi tenets. During this period, the main issue of Salafist scholars was that Taliban was led by Maturidi Sufis. As a result of the unofficial Taliban bans on Ahl-i Hadith during the 1996–2001 era, several Salafis had shifted to Peshawar. However, after the US-led Invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, Taliban and Ahl-i Hadith allied to wage a common Jihad to resist the invasion. The Afghan Salafists decided to put aside their differences with the Taliban to join them in the "greater jihad" against the United States. Several Arab Salafis in Al-Qaeda rank and file would mediate the disputes between Afghan Salafists and Taliban; enabling them to unify for the more important religious duty of fighting against the U.S and its allies in Afghanistan. Many Salafi commanders and Ahl-i Hadith organisations participated in the Taliban insurgency (2001–2021) under Afghan Taliban's command.{{cite news|last=Sayed|first=Abdul|date=20 November 2020|title=Islamic State Khorasan Province's Peshawar Seminary Attack and War Against Afghan Taliban Hanafis|url=https://jamestown.org/program/islamic-state-khorasan-provinces-peshawar-seminary-attack-and-war-against-afghan-taliban-hanafis/|newspaper=Jamestown}}{{harvnb|Sayed|2021}}: Afghan Salafists had previously faced several bans by the Afghan Taliban during the Taliban's pre-9/11 rule,... Since that time, the Salafist's main issue with the Taliban was that Sufi and Maturidi Hanafists dominated Taliban ranks. ... This resulted in the unofficial Taliban bans on Afghan Salafists in the pre-9/11 era. As a result, Afghan Salafists shifted to Peshawar... The U.S. invasion of Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks meant the Taliban faced a strong enemy for which it needed every Afghans' support. The Afghan Salafists decided to put aside their sectarian differences of the past with the Taliban to join them in the "greater jihad" against the United States. [12] The Middle Eastern Salafists in al-Qaeda's rank and file further mediated the situation between the Afghan Salafists and the Taliban, unifying them for the more significant religious duty of fighting against the United States and its allies in Afghanistan."

During the Taliban insurgency, in January 2015, IS established itself in Khorasan and formed IS-K.{{cite news|title=A.P. Buys Worldwide Television News|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/03/business/ap-buys-worldwide-television-news.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=3 June 1998|access-date=30 October 2014}} The main objective of IS-K was to occupy the land of Khorasan, which includes the country of Afghanistan.{{cite web|last=Rana|first=Muhammad Amir|date=5 September 2021|title=The Khorasan chapter threat|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1644581|access-date=6 September 2021|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}} Even though the initial IS-K was formed by Taliban as well as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) defectors and thus ideologically similar, it became dominated by Salafists.{{sfn|Sayed|2021|pp=10–11}} The disgruntled members of TTP would establish IS-KP and shifted to the Nangarhar province. After its founding Pakistani leaders who defected from TTP were killed in US drone strikes, Afghan Salafists took charge of TTP.{{harvnb|Sayed|2021|pp=10–11}}: "disgruntled members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or the Pakistani Taliban, founded ISKP, soon afterwards ISKP became a Salafist-dominated group and shifted to Nangarhar province in Afghanistan... Afghan Salafists also took charge of ISKP after its founding Pakistani leaders who had defected from TTP were killed in the U.S. drone strikes and counter-terrorism operations in Nangarhar." The conflict escalated when militants affiliated with IS-KP killed Abdul Ghani, a senior Taliban commander in Logar province on 2 February 2015.

The emergence of IS-K provided militant Afghan Salafists with an opportunity to set up a rival force, although Salafist support for the group waned as it proved ideologically "too extreme and brutal" for most Afghan Salafis.{{sfn|Sayed|2021|pp=11–12}} As a result, the majority of Afghan Salafis have remained supportive of the Taliban. In March 2020, major Pashtun Ahl-i Hadith ulema convened in Peshawar under the leadership of Shaikh Abdul Aziz Nooristani and Haji Hayatullah to pledge Bay'ah (oath of loyalty) to the Taliban and publicly condemn IS-K. The scholars also requested protection from the Afghan Taliban for the Ahl-i Hadith community.

After Taliban victory in the War in Afghanistan and restoration of the Islamic Emirate, hundreds of Ahl-i Hadith ulema would gather to announce their Bay'ah (pledge of allegiance) to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Numerous Ahl-i Hadith clerics and their representatives held gatherings across various provinces of Afghanistan to re-affirm their backing of the Taliban and officially declare their support to the Taliban crackdown on IS-K.{{cite web|date=1 November 2021|title=Ahl-e-Hadith clerics announce allegiance to Taliban in Nangarhar|url=https://www.afghanislamicpress.com/en/news/93343|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113120514/https://www.afghanislamicpress.com/en/news/93343|archive-date=13 November 2021|website=Afghan Islamic Press}} Several members of the Afghan intelligence agency and the Afghan national army have also joined the Islamic State – Khorasan Province. The High Council of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, previously a breakaway Taliban faction, announced that they have pledged allegiance to the Taliban and will dissolve.{{cite news |title=Afghan Taliban Group Backs IS, But Only Abroad |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-taliban-faction-rasul-is-al-qaeda-islamic-state/27352225.html |access-date=18 August 2021 |website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Kakar |first=Javid Hamim |date=2022-01-31 |title=د طالبانو د ملا رسول ډله له اوسني نظامه ملاتړ اعلانوي |trans-title=The Mullah Rasul faction of the Taliban has announced its support for the current regime |url=https://pajhwok.com/ps/2022/01/31/%d8%af-%d8%b7%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d8%a7%d9%86%d9%88-%d8%af-%d9%85%d9%84%d8%a7-%d8%b1%d8%b3%d9%88%d9%84-%da%89%d9%84%d9%87-%d9%84%d9%87-%d8%a7%d9%88%d8%b3%d9%86%d9%8a-%d9%86%d8%b8%d8%a7%d9%85%d9%87/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |work=Pajhwok Afghan News |language=ps}} In February 2022, Pakistani officials acknowledged that ongoing violence was destabilizing the region.{{cite news |last1=Masood |first1=Salman |last2=ur-Rehman |first2=Zia |date=22 February 2022 |title=To Preserve Its Own Stability, Pakistan Must Stabilize Afghanistan First |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/22/world/asia/pakistan-afghanistan-taliban.html |access-date=2 March 2022 |work=The New York Times}}

By 2016, IS-K mostly consisted of eastern Afghans, Pakistanis, and foreign fighters from Central Asia. The latter were mainly former members of the Islamic Jihad Union and the Turkistan Islamic Party. In addition, there were a small number of Arabs.{{sfn|Johnson|2016|p=2}} Throughout its existence, IS-K has operated in a very limited area, mainly concentrated in select provinces in eastern Afghanistan,{{sfn|Johnson|2016|p=2}} most importantly Nangarhar and Kunar.{{sfn|Johnson|2016|p=3}} By 2016, it had appointed shadow governors in other regions as well, but not exerted much influence outside its traditional bases.{{sfn|Johnson|2016|p=2}} The group is known to receive support by the Islamic State's central command in form of money{{sfn|Johnson|2016|p=1}} and combat trainers from Iraq and Syria.{{sfn|Johnson|2016|p=3}} IS-K's combat strength has fluctuated greatly over the years, but has mostly remained in the low thousands.{{sfn|Johnson|2016|p=2}}

On 2 February, militants affiliated with IS-K killed Abdul Ghani, a Taliban commander, in Logar province.

On 26 May, Asif Nang, governor of Farah province, said the Taliban have been fighting against IS militants for the past three days in Farah province. The clash left 10 Taliban and 15 IS militants dead.{{cite web |title=Bombs kill 11 in Afghanistan as Taliban, ISIS supporters clash |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2015/05/26/Bombs-kill-11-in-Afghanistan-as-Taliban-ISIS-supporters-clash |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en |date=26 May 2015}}

In May, IS-K militants captured Maulvi Abbas, a Taliban commander who was leading a small squad of insurgent fighters in Nangarhar province.

In June, IS-K militants beheaded 10 Taliban fighters who were fleeing an Afghan military offensive according to a spokesman of Afghan army corps responsible for the region.{{cite news |last1=Goldstein |first1=Joseph |title=In ISIS, the Taliban Face an Insurgent Threat of Their Own |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/05/world/asia/afghanistan-taliban-face-insurgent-threat-from-isis.html?_r=0 |website=The New York Times |date=4 June 2015}}

On 9 November, fighting had broken out between different Taliban factions in the Zabul Province of Afghanistan. Fighters loyal to the new Taliban leader Akhtar Mansour began to fight a pro-IS faction, led by Mullah Mansoor Dadullah. According to Afghan security and local officials, Akhtar Mansour had sent as many as 450 Taliban fighters to crush Mullah Mansoor and Islamic State elements in Zabul. Dadullah's faction received support from IS during the clashes, and IS fighters also joined in on the fighting alongside Dadullah, including foreign fighters from Chechnya and Uzbekistan. Dadullah and IS were eventually defeated by Mansour's forces.{{cite web|url=https://www.worldbulletin.net/asia-pacific/taliban-on-taliban-turf-war-erupts-in-afghanistan-h166221.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116015146/https://www.worldbulletin.net/asia-pacific/taliban-on-taliban-turf-war-erupts-in-afghanistan-h166221.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=16 November 2018|title=Taliban-on-Taliban turf war erupts in Afghanistan|website=www.worldbulletin.net/}} Hajji Momand Nasratyar, the district governor of Arghandab, said the fighting took place in three districts of Zabul province and 86 IS militants and 26 Taliban fighters were killed in the clash. Taliban also reported to have killed several IS militants who were responsible for beheading of seven Hazara civilians a few days back.

Hajji Atta Jan, the Zabul provincial council chief, said the offensive by Mullah Mansour's fighters was so intense, that at least three Islamic State commanders, all of them ethnic Uzbeks, had surrendered. They were also asking others IS militants to do the same.{{cite news |last1=Mashal |first1=Mujib |last2=Shah |first2=Taimoor |title=Afghan Fighters Loyal to ISIS Beheaded 7 Hostages, Officials Say |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/10/world/asia/afghan-fighters-loyal-to-isis-beheaded-7-hostages-officials-say.html |website=The New York Times |date=9 November 2015}} Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, while quoting sources from Southern Afghanistan, reported that some 70 IS militants were also captured in the clash by the Taliban.{{cite web |last=Siddique |first=Abubakar |date=30 November 2015 |title=Afghan Taliban Detail Fight Against Uzbek IS Militants |url=https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/afghan-taliban-detail-fight-against-uzbek-is-fighters/27397739.html |website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}}

On 13 November, Ghulam Jelani Farahi, an Afghan police chief, said that Mullah Mansoor Dadullah was killed in a clash with Taliban.{{cite web |title='Leader of breakaway Taliban faction killed' |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1219332/newspaper/newspaper/column |website=DAWN.COM |language=en |date=13 November 2015}}

In January, hundreds of Taliban fighters launched an assault against IS bases in eastern Afghanistan. Taliban fighters were successful in capturing two districts from IS in eastern Afghanistan, but it failed to drive the group out of their stronghold in the Nazyan district in Nangarhar province.{{cite web |last1=Kaplan |first1=Michael |title=Taliban Launches Anti-ISIS Offensive: Afghan Insurgents Capture Two Districts From Islamic State Group |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/taliban-launches-anti-isis-offensive-afghan-insurgents-capture-two-districts-islamic-2249670 |website=International Business Times |date=5 January 2016}} Ataullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said that 26 IS militants and 5 Taliban fighters were killed in the clashes in Nangarhar.{{cite web |last1= |first1= |date=6 January 2016 |title=At least 31 militants killed in clashes between Taliban, Daesh in Afghanistan |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/asia/2016/01/06/at-least-31-militants-killed-in-clashes-between-taliban-daesh-in-afghanistan |website=Daily Sabah}}

On 2 February, US carried out airstrikes targeting IS radio station in eastern Afghanistan. The strike destroyed the radio station and killed 29 IS militants.{{cite web |last1=Botelho |first1=Greg |last2=Popalzai |first2=Masoud |title=Official: U.S. strikes ISIS radio station in Afghanistan |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/02/asia/isis-afghanistan-us-airstrikes/index.html |website=CNN |date=2 February 2016}}

In March, Taliban factions led by Muhammad Rasul and opposed to Mansoor, began to fight against his loyalists in the group. During the fighting, dozens were reported killed.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/10/dozens-killed-clashes-rival-taliban-factions-afghanistan-herat|title=Dozens killed in clashes between rival Taliban factions in Afghanistan|first=Sune Engel|last=Rasmussen|date=10 March 2016|newspaper=The Guardian }}

On 26 April, Hazrat Hussain Mashriqwal, a provincial police spokesman, said that 10 IS militants, including an IS commander, and 6 Taliban fighters were killed in a clash in Nangarhar. 15 IS militants and 4 Taliban fighters were also wounded during the same clash according to the spokesman.{{cite web |title=30 Killed as Taliban, ISIS Terrorists Clash in Afghanistan |url=http://alwaght.net/en/News/51891/30-Killed-as-Taliban,-ISIS-Terrorists-Clash-in-Afghanistan |website=Alwaght.com |date=26 April 2016}}

On 19 May, local government officials reported that a clash took place between IS and Taliban in Achin and Khogyani district of Nangarhar province. 15 IS militants and 3 Taliban fighters were killed in Achin district, and the remaining were killed in Khogyani. 4 Taliban commanders were also among the dead.{{cite news |title=27 killed, 11 wounded as clash erupts among Taliban and ISIS in Nangarhar |url=https://www.khaama.com/27-killed-11-wounded-as-clash-erupts-among-taliban-and-isis-in-nangarhar-0988/ |website=The Khaama Press News Agency |date=19 May 2016}}

On 13 August, US defence officials said that ISIL's top leader, Hafiz Saeed Khan, was killed in a drone strike on 26 July in Nangarhar province.{{cite web |last=Martinez |first=Luis |date=13 August 2016 |title=Top ISIS Leader in Afghanistan Killed in US Airstrike |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/top-isis-leader-afghanistan-killed-us-airstrike/story?id=41338629 |website=ABC News |language=en}}

On 30 October, Ajmal Zahid, a governor of Golestan district, said that ISIL's commander, Abdul Razaq Mehdi, was killed by Taliban fighters in Farah province.{{cite web |title=Daesh Commander Killed By Taliban In Farah |url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/28072-daesh-commander-killed-by-taliban-in-farah |website=TOLOnews |language=en |date=30 October 2016}}

On 13 April 2017, the United States dropped{{cite web |author= |date=14 April 2017 |title=Drone footage shows MOAB drop in Afghanistan |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ8j4QlYcYk |website=YouTube}} the largest non-nuclear bomb, known as the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) Mother of All Bombs near Momand village{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/14/it-felt-like-the-heavens-were-falling-afghans-reel-from-moabs-impact?CMP=share_btn_tw|title='It felt like the heavens were falling': Afghans reel from MOAB impact|last=Rasmussen|first=Sune Engel|date=14 April 2017|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|access-date=14 April 2017}} upon a Nangahar's Achin District village in eastern Afghanistan to destroy tunnel complexes used by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province (ISIL-KP or ISIS–K).{{cite web|date=13 April 2017|title=U.S. drops 'mother of all bombs' in Afghanistan, marking weapon's first use|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-drops-mother-of-all-bombs-in-afghanistan-marking-weapons-first-use/|access-date=13 April 2017|work=CBS News}}{{cite web|last=Tomlinson|first=Lucas|date=13 April 2017|title=US drops largest non-nuclear bomb in Afghanistan after Green Beret killed|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-drops-largest-non-nuclear-bomb-in-afghanistan-after-green-beret-killed|access-date=13 April 2017|work=Fox News}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/13/politics/afghanistan-isis-moab-bomb/index.html|title=US drops largest non-nuclear bomb in Afghanistan|first1=Barbara|last1=Starr|first2=Ryan|last2=Browne|publisher=CNN|access-date=13 April 2017}} The Guardian reported that following the strike, US and Afghan forces conducted clearing operations and airstrikes in the area and assessed the damage.{{cite web |last=Rasmussen |first=Sune Engel |date=15 April 2017 |title=US 'mother of all bombs' killed 92 Isis militants, say Afghan officials |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/15/us-mother-of-all-bombs-moab-afghanistan-donald-trump-death-toll |work=The Guardian}}

On 26 April, a fight occurred after IS captured 3 drug dealers who were involved in selling opium for the Taliban in Jowzjan Province. An Afghan National Police spokesman stated that the Taliban attacked IS in response, saying "The clashes erupted when group of armed Taliban attacked Daesh militants [to secure] the release of 3 drug smugglers who came here to pay 10 million afghanis [$14,780] to the Taliban for a deal." The Taliban's spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid had also confirmed clashes were ongoing with IS at the time, without providing details on the nature of the fight or reasons.{{Cite web |last=Saif |first=Shadi Khan |date=2017-04-26 |title=Nearly 100 dead as Taliban, Daesh clash in Afghanistan |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/nearly-100-dead-as-taliban-daesh-clash-in-afghanistan/806034 |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=www.aa.com.tr}} Mohammad Reza Ghafori, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said that the clashes between Taliban and IS-K had left 76 Taliban and 15 IS militants dead. IS militants also seized 2 districts from the Taliban, according to the spokesman.{{cite web |title=ISIS in Afghanistan is attacking the Taliban, killing dozens |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ap-islamic-state-taliban-clash-in-afghanistan-dozens-killed-2017-4 |website=Business Insider |date=26 April 2017}}

On 24 May, a clash between the Taliban and IS occurred, and at that time, it had reportedly been the largest clash between the two with 22 casualties, 13 of which were IS fighters, and 9 Taliban fighters, according to a Taliban official. The clashes occurred near Iran's border with Afghanistan. The Taliban had attacked an IS camp in the area, an IS commander, who was formerly a Taliban member, said that there was an agreement between the Taliban and IS not to attack each other until there was a dialogue. The commander claimed that the Taliban had violated the agreement and attacked the IS camp. The IS commander also claimed the attack was coordinated with the Iranian military, and that there were Iranians filming dead IS fighters. The Taliban splinter faction Fidai Mahaz has also criticized the Taliban for its relationship with Iran. Days before the battle, the Taliban reportedly met with Iranian officials to discuss regional issues. A spokesman for Fidai Mahaz claimed the meeting was held at the request of the Taliban, as it was weary of the expansion of IS in the country, which also concerned the Iranian government. The spokesman also said that the Taliban received US$3 million in cash, 3,000 arms, 40 trucks, and the ammunition from Iran's intelligence services, in order to fight IS near the Iranian border, although a Taliban spokesman denied the allegations.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/06/17/iran-and-the-afghan-taliban-teaming-up-against-isis|title=Iran and the Afghan Taliban Teaming Up Against ISIS|first=Sami|last=Yousafzai|date=17 June 2015|newspaper=The Daily Beast}}{{Cite web |last1=Yusufzai |first1=Mushtaq |last2=Rahim |first2=Fazul |date=May 20, 2015 |title=Afghan Taliban Officials Pay 'Fruitful' Visit to Iran |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/afghan-taliban-delegation-visits-iran-discuss-regional-issues-n361876 |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=NBC News |language=en}}

On 27 November, Taliban executed one of its senior commanders for colluding with IS. A week before, IS fighters were mass executed by their fellow militants in Achin district, according to a provincial government spokesman. However, the spokesman did not provide any additional detail, and neither did IS release any official statement on killing its own members.{{cite web |last=Moore |first=Jack |date=27 November 2017 |title=The Taliban executes one of its own commanders for colluding with ISIS |url=https://www.newsweek.com/taliban-executes-its-own-commander-colluding-isis-722849 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}

{{further|Battle of Darzab (2018)}}

File:Surrendered Islamic State fighters in Darzab 1.png.]]

On 20 June, after the talks between the Russian government and the Taliban, US assistant secretary of state Alice Wells condemned the Russian government's position on the Taliban that included backing for the group against IS, stating it gave the Taliban legitimacy and challenged the recognized Afghan government.{{cite web |last=Ramani |first=Samuel |date=July 21, 2018 |title=Why Has Russia Invited the Taliban to Moscow? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/07/why-has-russia-invited-the-taliban-to-moscow/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720175258/https://thediplomat.com/2018/07/why-has-russia-invited-the-taliban-to-moscow/ |archive-date=20 July 2018 |website=The Diplomat}}

In July, the Taliban launched an offensive against IS in the Jowzjan province. According to a surrendered IS commander, the Taliban had amassed 2,000 fighters for the offensive against IS. The fighters from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, who had sworn allegiance to IS, were also present fighting alongside IS against the Taliban. During the fighting, 3,500 to 7,000 civilians were displaced. By the end of July, IS's hold in the region was reduced to 2 villages, all thanks to the Taliban's campaign. In response, they requested support from the Afghan government, and also agreed to put down their arms in exchange for protection from the Taliban. The Afghan Air Force later carried out airstrikes against the Taliban in exchange for IS's surrender in the region. The agreement between the Afghan government and IS created controversy afterwards.{{Cite news |last1=Sahak |first1=Matin |last2=Mackenzie |first2=James |others=Additional reporting by Qadir Sediqi |date=20 July 2018 |title=Families flee as Taliban battle Islamic State in northern Afghanistan |newspaper=Reuters |editor-last=Kasolowsky |editor-first=Raissa |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-taliban-islamic-state-idUSKBN1KA231 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/08/taliban-says-islamic-state-is-completely-defeated-in-jawzjan.php|title=Taliban says Islamic State has been 'completely defeated' in Jawzjan|first=Bill|last=Roggio|date=1 August 2018|website=www.longwarjournal.org}} On 17 July, IS militants killed 15 Taliban militants and injured 5 others during a raid on a house belonging to a Taliban commander in Sar-e Pol. Abdul Qayuom Baqizoi, the police chief of Sar-e Pol, told Associated Press that Taliban and IS fighters have been fighting each other in Jowzjan and Sar-e Pol for more than two months, killing hundreds on both sides.{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Daniel |date=17 July 2018 |title=ISIS just ambushed and killed 15 Taliban fighters as the terror groups wage a bloody battle while the US watches |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/r-islamic-state-fighters-in-afghanistan-kill-at-least-15-taliban-2018-7 |website=Business Insider |access-date=30 August 2021 |archive-date=30 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830094216/https://www.businessinsider.com/r-islamic-state-fighters-in-afghanistan-kill-at-least-15-taliban-2018-7 |url-status=dead }}

In August, during the negotiations between the US government and the Taliban in Doha, the Taliban had requested that the US ends airstrikes on the Taliban, as well as provide support to the group in order to fight IS.{{Cite news |last1=Janjua |first1=Haroon |last2=Tomlinson |first2=Hugh |date=7 August 2018 |title=Taliban asks US to stop airstrikes so it can crush Isis |newspaper=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/taliban-asks-us-to-stop-airstrikes-so-it-can-crush-isis-5dg6rtjf5}}

[[File:Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan (2015–present).svg|thumb|Map showing the war as of January 2019

{{legend|#ebc0b3|Under control of the Afghan Government, NATO, and Allies}}{{legend|#ffffff|Under control of the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and Allies}}{{legend|#b3b2ae|Under control of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Allies}}{{legend|#76e56a|Under control of the Pakistani Army}}

]]

On 22 June, clashes were reported in Kunar between the Taliban and IS, by an Afghan government official. The official also claimed that the Afghan military had killed some IS fighters in the area, and that the Taliban was active in the area as well.{{Cite news|url=https://www.khaama.com/heavy-clashes-underway-between-taliban-isis-militants-in-two-districts-of-kunar-03695/|title = Heavy clashes underway between Taliban, ISIS militants in two districts of Kunar|newspaper = The Khaama Press News Agency|date = 22 June 2019}}

On 29 June, IS released photos of weapons captured from the Taliban.{{Cite web|url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D-Qy82-X4AAPVvm.jpg|title=Khurasan|format=JPG}} On the same day, IS published a video of its fighters renewing their Bayah to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In the video, fighters criticized the Taliban for engaging in peace talks and called upon Taliban fighters to join IS.{{cite web|url=https://monitoring.ifiadvisory.com/en/islamic-state-renewed-bayah-from-khorasan-province/|title=Islamic State: renewed bay'ah from Khorasan province – IFI Monitoring|work=IFI Monitoring |date=1 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701073613/https://monitoring.ifiadvisory.com/en/islamic-state-renewed-bayah-from-khorasan-province/|archive-date=1 July 2019}}

On 1 August, the Amaq News Agency claimed that IS had killed 5 Taliban members during clashes in Kunar.https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EA6Hu9oXkAUU4xG?format=jpg&name=small {{Dead link|date=March 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

On 1 October, IS claimed to have killed and wounded 20 Taliban fighters in Tora Bora.{{cite web|url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EFyCuqZWkAApnzA.jpg|title=Islamic State|date=1 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001092131/https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EFyCuqZWkAApnzA.jpg|archive-date=1 October 2019}}

In March 2020, the Afghan Salafist Council under its emir, Shaikh Abdul Aziz Nooristani, met with Taliban leaders and pledged loyalty to their movement. Salafists had previously provided crucial support to IS-K, but recognized that the latter's position had greatly declined after its defeats in Nangarhar and Kunar.{{sfn|Sayed|2021|p=9}} The Salafist Council, represented by 32 scholars and military leaders, stated that they were in no way loyal to IS-K, and wanted to be left out of the Islamic State–Taliban conflict. The Taliban leadership accepted the pledge of loyalty, exploiting it in its propaganda.{{sfn|Sayed|2021|pp=9–10}}

In October 2020, former Politico reporter Wesley Morgan revealed that United States special operations forces, longtime foes of the Taliban, had been conducting drone strikes against IS-K to give the Taliban an advantage in the field. According to Morgan, the operators were jokingly referred to as the "Taliban Air Force" and instead of communicating directly with Taliban commanders, they would monitor Taliban communications and decide when was the best time to strike.{{cite news |last=Morgan |first=Wesley |date=22 October 2020 |title=Our secret Taliban air force |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/10/22/taliban-isis-drones-afghanistan/?arc404=true |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=30 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022222114/https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/10/22/taliban-isis-drones-afghanistan/?arc404=true |archive-date=22 October 2020}} On 10 December 2020, General Kenneth McKenzie Jr., head of U.S. Central Command, confirmed that the U.S. had assisted the Taliban via opportunistic drone strikes, saying that they did not coordinate operations with the Taliban, but took advantage of them fighting a "common enemy" to conduct their own operations. Gen. McKenzie said the strikes occurred several months prior when IS-K was holding ground in Nangarhar Province and elsewhere in eastern Afghanistan.{{cite news |last=Schogol |first=Jeff |date=10 December 2020 |title=General confirms the US has helped the Taliban by launching drone strikes against ISIS |work=Task & Purpose |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/us-drone-strikes-isis-assist-taliban/ |access-date=30 January 2022}}

{{Further|2021 Kabul airport attack|2021 Kunduz mosque bombing}}

The Taliban finally succeeded in taking over Afghanistan from the Islamic Republic during a large-scale offensive in summer 2021. Kabul fell on 15 August 2021, prompting the leaders of the IS-K to denounce the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.{{cite web |title=Explained: Who are Islamic State-Khorasan, the terror group that carried out Kabul Airport blast |url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/why-biden-is-worried-about-the-rise-of-islamic-state-khorasan-in-afghanistan-9911971.html |website=Firstpost |date=27 August 2021}} The Taliban immediately moved to contain or purge potential opponents, including Islamic State supporters and Salafists. Across the country, the Taliban ordered the closure of Salafist mosques and seminaries, and tried to arrest prominent Salafist scholars, prompting many to go-into-hiding. Among those targeted by the new Taliban authorities were Salafi clerics whom had previously publicly opposed IS-K.{{sfn|Sayed|2021|p=10}} Researcher Abdul Sayed argued that the purge was probably organized by hardline anti-Salafist elements within the Taliban, but more motivated by long-time resentment than fears about Salafi support for a future IS-K insurgency.{{sfn|Sayed|2021|p=12}} On 16 August, the Taliban claimed to have killed around 150 IS-K fighters, including its former chief, Abu Umar Khurasani, whilst prisoners were being released from a jail in Kabul. However, many IS-K militants were able to rejoin their IS-K ranks after a string of prison-breaks across the country were organized by the Taliban.

On 26 August 2021, a suicide bombing and a mass shooting occurred near Abbey Gate at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.{{cite web |last1=Picheta |first1=Rob |last2=Wagner |first2=Meg |last3=Mahtani |first3=Melissa |last4=Macaya |first4=Melissa |last5=Rocha |first5=Veronica |last6=Alfonso III |first6=Fernando |date=26 August 2021 |title=Afghanistan news: Latest on blasts reported outside Kabul airport |url=https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/afghanistan-news-taliban-refugees-08-26-21-intl}}{{cite news |last=Pasko |first=Simcha |date=27 August 2021 |title=Biden on Kabul suicide bombings: 'We will hunt you down and make you pay |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post | Jpost.com |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/large-explosion-at-abbey-gate-at-the-kabul-airport-report-677790}}{{Cite news |last1=Ross |first1=Jamie |last2=Rohrlich |first2=Justin |last3=Yousafzai |first3=Sami |last4=Ibrahim |first4=Noor |date=26 August 2021 |title=Sheer Chaos: At Least 13 U.S. Troops Killed as Blasts Rock Kabul Airport |newspaper=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/explosion-reported-outside-kabul-airport}}{{Cite web |last1=Lister |first1=Tim |last2=Kottasová |first2=Ivana |last3=Starr |first3=Barbara |last4=Atwood |first4=Kylie |last5=Walsh |first5=Nick Paton |last6=Kiley |first6=Sam |last7=Cohen |first7=Zachary |last8=Hansler |first8=Jennifer |date=2021-08-26 |title=US troops and Afghans killed in suicide attacks outside Kabul airport |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/26/asia/afghanistan-kabul-airport-blast-intl/index.html |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite news|last1=Cooper|first1=Helene|last2=Schmitt|first2=Eric|last3=Gibbons-Neff|first3=Thomas|date=27 August 2021|title=As U.S. Troops Searched Afghans, a Bomber in the Crowd Moved In|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/27/us/politics/marines-kabul-airport-attack.html|access-date=28 August 2021|issn=0362-4331}} The attack began mere hours after the U.S. State Department advised Americans outside of the airport to leave due to terrorism threats.{{cite web |last1=Shaw |first1=Adam |last2=Tomlinson |first2=Lucas Y. |last3=Griffin |first3=Jennifer |date=26 August 2021 |title=Afghanistan explosions: 13 US service members killed in Kabul airport blast, more wounded, officials say |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/explosion-outside-kabul-airport-afghanistan-evacuation |website=Fox News}} At least 185 people were killed in these attacks, including 13 U.S. service members.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-25/biden-to-meet-with-governors-on-resettlement-afghanistan-update|title=Biden Vows to Finish Mission, Hunt Attackers: Afghanistan Update|date=26 August 2021|work=Bloomberg News}} The Taliban condemned the attack, saying "evil circles will be strictly stopped".{{cite web|date=26 August 2021|title=Taliban condemns suicide bombing at Kabul airport|url=https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/live-updates-taliban-gain-more-ground-in-afghanistan-as-they-close-in-on-kabul#post-444|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826004550/https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/live-updates-taliban-gain-more-ground-in-afghanistan-as-they-close-in-on-kabul#post-444|archive-date=26 August 2021|access-date=26 August 2021|work=Fox News}} The Taliban, later, announced that they would take every possible measure to capture IS-KP leader Shahab al-Muhajir.{{Cite news|last=Farmer|first=Ben|date=27 August 2021|title=Ambitious new Isis-K leader becomes Taliban's most wanted enemy after Kabul attacks|language=en-GB|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/08/27/ambitious-new-isis-k-leader-becomes-talibans-wanted-enemy-kabul/|url-status=live|access-date=27 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828005653/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/08/27/ambitious-new-isis-k-leader-becomes-talibans-wanted-enemy-kabul/|archive-date=28 August 2021|issn=0307-1235}} The same day, Saifullah Mohammed (Taliban's CID chief) told The Times that they had captured six militants belonging to IS-K, following a gun battle in west Kabul.{{cite web |last=Zolkepli |first=Farik |date=28 August 2021 |title=Taliban claims to have caught two Malaysians fighting for IS-K in Kabul |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/28/taliban-claims-to-have-caught-two-malaysians-fighting-for-is-k-in-kabul |website=The Star |language=en}}

Taliban militants kidnapped the influential Salafi cleric Mullah Abu Obaidullah Mutawakil on 28 August; he was "brutal[ly]" murdered one week later.{{sfn|Sayed|2021|p=9}} Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid denied the Taliban's role in the killing, but also did not condemn the act.{{sfn|Sayed|2021|p=9}} Even though Mutawakil was described as an IS-K sympathiser, and a large number of his students were a part of IS-K,{{cite web |last1=Rehman |first1=Zia Ur |title=Afghan chaos mounts as ISIS-K tries to tarnish Taliban triumph |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Afghanistan-turmoil/Afghan-chaos-mounts-as-ISIS-K-tries-to-tarnish-Taliban-triumph |website=Nikkei Asia |date=15 September 2021}} he had not officially backed the Islamic State. IS-K did not offer prayers for him after his demise, stating that he had "not been loyal" to the Islamic State's caliphate.{{sfn|Sayed|2021|p=10}} On 9 November 2021, Reuters journalist James MacKenzie stated that "frequent, smaller atrocities" in the conflict are "less commonly reported." Aside from the ISIS stronghold of Nangarhar, other affected areas include Ghazni in central Afghanistan, Herat in the west, Balkh in the north, and Paktia, Paktika and Khost in the southeast.{{cite news |last=Mackenzie |first=James |date=9 November 2021 |title=Islamic State violence dents Taliban claims of safer Afghanistan |publisher=Reuters |editor-last=Collett-White |editor-first=Mike |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/islamic-state-violence-dents-taliban-claims-safer-afghanistan-2021-11-09/ |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=13 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109020840/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/islamic-state-violence-dents-taliban-claims-safer-afghanistan-2021-11-09/ |archive-date=9 November 2021}}

On 6 September, Neda Mohammad, a Taliban governor for Nangarhar province, vowed to continue fighting IS-K militants. Nangarhar province is a stronghold of IS-K and the governor says that since taking over Nangarhar, his forces had arrested 70–80 suspected militants belonging to IS-K in Nangarhar province.{{cite web |title=Taliban Provincial Governor Vows To Fight ISIS |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/taliban-provincial-governor-mullah-neda-mohammad-vows-to-fight-isis-2531541 |website=New Delhi Television |date=6 September 2021}}

On 8 September, Taliban killed Farooq Bengalzai, an ISIS–K head for a Pakistan's province, in Nimroz, Afghanistan.

On 18 September, 7 people were killed when 4 bombs planted by suspected IS-KP members exploded in Jalalabad targeting Taliban patrols.{{cite news |title=Afghanistan: Several dead as blasts rock Jalalabad and Kabul |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/18/afghanistan-several-reported-dead-jalalabad-blasts |access-date=19 September 2021 |agency=Al Jazeera |date=18 September 2021}}

On 22 September, 2 Taliban fighters and a civilian were killed by ISIL gunmen who attacked a checkpoint in Ghawchak district of Jalalabad, security sources and witnesses said.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-22 |title=Two Taliban among three killed in Jalalabad attack |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2321380/two-taliban-among-three-killed-in-jalalabad-attack |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}

On 1 October, Taliban forces raided an ISIS–K base in the city of Charikar, north of Kabul. The Taliban claimed they had killed and arrested a number of ISIS–K members.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/taliban-kill-isis-affiliate-parwan-province-afghanistan-738152|title=Taliban raid ISIS haven in Parwan province; kill, arrest several affiliates|date= 3 October 2021|work=IndiaTVNews.com}}

On 2 October, suspected ISIS–K militants shot dead 2 Taliban fighters and 2 civilians in Jalalabad.{{cite web |last=Levine |first=Jon |date=3 October 2021 |title=Gunmen kills two Taliban members in Jalalabad |url=https://nypost.com/2021/10/02/taliban-members-killed-by-gunmen-in-jalalabad/ |work=New York Post}}

On 3 October, an explosion at the entrance to the Eidgah Mosque in Kabul leaves at least 5 dead, where a memorial service was held for the mother of Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.{{Cite web |last=Kullab |first=Samya |date=2021-10-03 |title=Bomb at Kabul mosque kills 5 civilians, Taliban say |url=https://apnews.com/article/religion-afghanistan-kabul-taliban-zabihullah-mujahid-c35d601f5d05066a11b0b8978b218643 |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/es/asia-pac%C3%ADfico/20211003-afganistan-atentado-mezquita-kabul|title=Afganistán: una explosión en Kabul deja al menos cinco muertos, informan los talibanes|date=3 October 2021|website=France 24}}{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/3/several-killed-in-blast-outside-kabul-mosque|title=At least 5 killed after blast targets memorial service in Kabul|date=3 October 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com}} ISIS–K later claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming it killed Taliban militants.{{cite web|url=https://www.ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=930817|title=ISIS claims responsibility for bombing near a mosque in Kabul|work=NINA News}}

On 4 October, the Taliban says it has "destroyed an IS–K cell" in Kabul following yesterday's bombing at a mosque during the memorial for the mother of Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. Mujahid says that a special Taliban unit carried out the operation and that the base was destroyed and everyone inside was killed.{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/taliban-destroy-is-k-cell-after-kabul-mosque-bombing/a-59396833|title = Taliban 'destroy' IS-K cell after Kabul mosque bombing|date = 4 October 2021|website = Deutsche Welle}}

On 6 October, 7 people, including at least 1 Taliban fighter, were killed in a grenade attack on a religious school in Khost. ISIS–K claimed responsibility for the attack.{{cite web|url=https://afghanistan.liveuamap.com/en/2021/6-october-picture-of-one-of-the-taliban-militants-killed|title=Picture of one of the Taliban militants killed in this evening's mosque blast in Khost, which was caused by a grenade, as per TB sources.|date=6 October 2021|work=liveuamap.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/afghanistan-death-toll-from-explosion-at-school-in-khost-reaches-720211007113425/|title=Afghanistan: Death toll from explosion at school in Khost reaches 7|work=ANI News}}

On 7 October, the Taliban announced that they had arrested 4 ISIS–K members after a raid in Paghman district, west of Kabul.{{cite news |date=7 October 2021 |title=Taliban says four ISIS members captured in raid near Kabul |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/taliban-says-four-isis-members-captured-near-kabul}} On the same day, ISIS claimed responsibility for the capture and execution of a Taliban fighter in District 2 of Jalalabad.{{cite web|url=https://afghanistan.liveuamap.com/en/2021/07-october-isis-has-claimed-responsibility-fog|title=ISIS has claimed responsibility for the capture and summary execution of a rival Taliban militant in District 2 of the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad|date=7 October 2021|work=liveuamap.com}}

On 8 October, a Uyghur Islamic State militant, by the name of Muhammad al-Uyghuri killed 55–100 people and injured dozens more after launching a suicide bombing on a Shi'ite mosque in Kunduz.{{cite web|url=https://afghanistan.liveuamap.com/en/2021/8-october-afghanistan-isk-bomber-muhammed-al-uyghuri-that|title= Afghanistan IS-K bomber (Muhammed al Uyghuri) that detonated his PBIED in Kunduz, killing 40–100 in a Shiite mosque. He is noted by ISIS to be a Uyghur, framed in response to the Taliban & their relations with China. He's holding a (likely local copy) Zigana T pattern pistol|date=8 October 2021|work=liveuamap.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3151716/blast-afghanistans-kunduz-mosque-kills-least-50|title=Suicide bombing at Afghanistan's Kunduz mosque kills at least 55 worshippers|work=South China Morning Post|date=8 October 2021}}{{cite web |last=Beaumont |first=Peter |date=8 October 2021 |title=Shia mosque bombing kills dozens in Afghan city of Kunduz |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/08/deadly-bomb-attack-hits-shia-mosque-in-afghan-city-of-kunduz |work=The Guardian}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.uniindia.com/news/world/islamic-state-khorasan-claims-responsibility-for-suicide-bombing-at-kunduz-mosque-100-dead/2528490.html|title=Islamic State-Khorasan claims responsibility for suicide bombing at Kunduz mosque, 100 dead}}

On 9 October, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen announced that there would be no co-operation with the U.S. to combat ISIS–K , saying that the Taliban are 'able to deal with ISIS independently'.{{cite web|url=https://asumetech.com/taliban-we-will-not-work-with-the-united-states-to-contain-isis/|title=Taliban: We will not work with the United States to contain ISIS|date= 9 October 2021|work=AsumeTech.com}}

On 10 October, ISIS–K claimed responsibility for the assassination of 2 Taliban fighters in District 7 of Jalalabad.{{cite web|url=https://afghanistan.liveuamap.com/en/2021/10-october-isis-has-claimed-responsibility-fog|title= ISIS has claimed responsibility for the assassination of two rival Taliban militants in District 7 of the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad|date=10 October 2021|work=liveuamap.com}}

On 14 October, a bomb killed a Taliban police chief in Asadabad, capital of Kunar province, Afghanistan. They also claim that 11 people were injured, including 4 Taliban soldiers.{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Taliban Police Chief Killed In Bomb Attack In Eastern Afghanistan |language=en |work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-taliban-police-attack/31508668.html |access-date=2023-03-25}}

On 15 October, a bomb explosion occurred in Kandahar at the Shia 'Imam Bargah mosque', killing at least 65 people and wounding at least 70 more. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Harrison |date=2021-10-15 |title=Four suicide bombers kill and injure dozens of people in Kandahar mosque blasts |url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/10/15/afghanistan-explosion-hits-kandahar-mosque-during-prayers-15426651/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Metro |language=en}}{{cite web |last=Linares |first=Vicenta |date=15 October 2021 |title=Afganistán: Decenas de muertos tras explosiones en la mezquita de Kandahar |url=https://www.rfi.fr/es/oriente-medio/20211015-afganist%C3%A1n-decenas-de-muertos-tras-explosiones-en-la-mezquita-de-kandahar |website=RFI}}

On 20 October, the Taliban announced they had arrested at least 250 ISIS–K operatives between mid-September and mid-October 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/spotlight-on-global-jihad-october-21-27-2021/|title=Spotlight on Global Jihad (October 21-27, 2021)|date=28 October 2021|work=The Meir Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center}}

On 23 October, ISIS–K claimed responsibility for shooting 2 Taliban fighters dead in District 1 of Jalalabad city.{{cite web|url=https://afghanistan.liveuamap.com/en/2021/24-october-isis-has-claimed-responsibility-fog|title=ISIS has claimed responsibility for shooting and killing 2 rival Taliban militants in District 1 of the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad|date=24 October 2021|work=liveuamap.com}}

On 24 October, a bomb attack in Afghanistan has left at least 2 civilians dead on Saturday, 1 being a child, and four wounded. The device placed on the road in eastern Afghanistan was aimed at a Taliban vehicle.{{cite web|url=https://es.euronews.com/2021/10/23/un-nuevo-atentado-terrorista-en-afganistan-deja-al-menos-dos-civiles-fallecidos-y-cuatro-h|title = Dos civiles muertos en un nuevo ataque terrorista en Afganistán|date = 23 October 2021}} On the same day, it was reported that ISIS–K had raised a flag in a village in Uruzgan Province and that the militants were distributing leaflets at mosques in nearby villages.

On 25 October, 17 people were killed in clashes between gunmen and Taliban forces in Herat.{{cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/17-people-killed-in-clash-between-taliban-group-of-armed-men-in-herat20211025045559/|title=17 people killed in clash between Taliban, group of armed men in Herat|work=aninews.in}} On the same day it was announced that Tajikistan and China had reached an agreement for China to fund construction for a new Tajik military base and that Chinese forces can completely operate a military base near the Afghan border.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/eye-on-afghanistan-china-to-build-military-base-in-tajikistan/article37221418.ece|title=Eye on Afghanistan, China to build military base in Tajikistan|work=TheHindu.com|date=28 October 2021|last1=Krishnan|first1=Ananth}}

On 31 October, at least a hundred IS militants reportedly surrendered to the Taliban security forces in Nangarhar province, as part of an operation to suppress the insurgent formation in the country.{{cite web |title=Un centenar de yihadistas se entregan a los talibanes en Afganistán |url=https://www.dw.com/es/un-centenar-de-yihadistas-se-entregan-a-los-talibanes-en-afganist%C3%A1n/a-59679641 |website=Deutsche Welle |language=es-ES |date=31 October 2021}}

In the month of October, a former Afghan national army officer, who recently joined ISIS–K ranks, was killed in clash with Taliban fighters. The former officer commanded the Afghan military's weapons and ammunition depot in Gardez before the Taliban takeover.

Since the Taliban takeover, the violence in Nangahar province has escalated with near-daily attacks claimed by the Islamic State. The Taliban responded by deploying an additional 1,300 fighters in the province in the month of October with the aim to increase the number of operations conducted against the ISIS–K fighters in the province. Talibans have also carried out night raids against suspected ISIS–K fighters in the province and many of the hundreds arrested during those raids have either disappeared or turned up dead. The Taliban's harsh crackdown in the province against the suspected ISIS–K fighters has resulted in a number of human right violations by the Taliban fighters, according to Nangahar residents. Islamic State has also used Taliban's harsh crackdown as a part of its recruitment propaganda calling on Nangahar residents to rise up and resist the Taliban. Nangahar residents say that the Taliban fighters in the province are not familiar with the area and have no way to check the intelligence they receive about Islamic State targets. So the Taliban fighters have started killing anyone they suspect of working for the Islamic State, according to the residents. Washington Post reports that only a few Taliban fighters have the necessary training or experience to conduct precision-based operations in urban areas. As the Taliban are more adopted to guerrilla warfare, they are therefore still adjusting to maintain security during peacetime.

By early November, IS-KP in Nangahar was repeatedly assassinating ex-republicans and pro-Taliban figures and attacked patrols with such a frequency that the Taliban government ordered its fighters in the province to no longer leave settlements at night.{{sfnp|Zenn|2021|p=2–3}}

On 2 November, the 2021 Kabul hospital attack took place where assailants attacked the Daoud Khan Military Hospital with guns and suicide bombers killing at least 25 people and wounding at least 50 more people. A senior Taliban commander, Mawlawi Hamdullah Mukhlis, was killed in the attack. He was the head of the Kabul military corps and was 1 of the first "senior" Taliban commanders to enter the abandoned Afghan presidential palace on August 15. The Taliban blamed ISIS–K for the attack and claimed that they killed at least 4 militants in a shootout.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-59133026|title=More than 20 killed in attack on Kabul military hospital|work=BBC News |date=2 November 2021}}{{cite web|agency=Reuters|date=2021-11-02|title=Explosions and gun attack on central Kabul hospital kill 25 people|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/02/deadly-explosions-hit-military-hospital-in-kabul-afghanistan|access-date=2021-11-02|website=The Guardian|language=en}} On the same day, ISIL claimed responsibility for killing a Taliban judge in a gun attack in PD-2, Jalalabad.{{cite web|url=https://afghanistan.liveuamap.com/en/2021/2-november-todays-second-claim-from-iskp---iskp-claiming|title=Today's second claim from ISKP: ISKP claiming to have assassinated a Taliban judge in a gun attack in PD-2, Jalalabad, Nangarhar|date=2 November 2021|work=liveuamap.com}}

On 7 November, at least 3 members of the Taliban security forces were killed and 3 others wounded in a series of attacks in Jalalabad. "Two blasts hit the Taliban, then the ISKP militants engaged in a gunfight and finally managed to escape".{{cite web|url=https://thewest.com.au/news/conflict/taliban-deaths-in-islamic-state-clashes-c-4470796|title=Taliban deaths in Islamic State clashes|work=The West Australian|date=7 November 2021}}

On 10 November, a spokesman for the General Directorate of Intelligence, the new name of the Afghan spy agency under Taliban rule, told reporters in Kabul that they have arrested nearly 600 members of ISIS–K including "high-ranking" commanders.

On 13 November, at least 3 people were killed including Afghan journalist Hameed Saighani after a bus exploded in a majority Shia part of Kabul city. ISIS–K later claimed responsibility.{{cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/isis-k-claims-responsibility-for-saturdays-explosion-in-kabul20211115115908/|title=ISIS-K claims responsibility for Saturday's explosion in Kabul|work=aninews.in}}

On 14 November, ISIS–K militants gunned down and killed a Taliban fighter in Nangarhar.{{cite web|url=https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/spotlight-on-global-jihad-november-11-17-2021/|title=Spotlight on Global Jihad (November 11-17, 2021)|work=The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center|date=18 November 2021}}

On 15 November, 4 ISIS–K members and 3 civilians were killed in a Taliban raid on a suspected ISIS–K hideout in Kandahar.{{cite web |date=15 November 2021 |title=At least four killed as Taliban crack down on ISIS hideouts in southern Afghanistan |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/2021/11/15/at-least-four-killed-as-taliban-crack-down-on-isis-hideouts-in-southern-afghanistan/ |work=The National}}

On 18 November, a UN assessment concluded that members of ISIS–KP were now present in all of Afghanistan's 34 provinces.{{cite web|url=https://www.albawaba.com/news/isis-everywhere-afghanistan-un-worries-1455517|title=ISIS 'Everywhere' in Afghanistan - The UN Worries|work=albawaba.com}}

On 20 November, 3 Taliban fighters were killed after ISIS–K militants opened fire on their car in Jalalabad city.{{cite web|url=https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/spotlight-on-global-jihad-october-21-27-2021-2/|title=Spotlight on Global Jihad (November 18-24, 2021)|work=The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center|date=25 November 2021}}

On 22 November, the United States revealed the names of and declared four main leaders of ISIS–K , including a funder of the organisation, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). On the same day, ISIS–K claimed responsibility for shooting and killing a Taliban fighter and a former Afghan intelligence operative after their car was fired upon on Jalalabad.

On 25 November, 2 Taliban members were shot and killed by ISIS–K militants in Jalalabad city.{{cite web|url=

https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/spotlight-on-global-jihad-november-25-december-1-2021/|title=Spotlight on Global Jihad (November 25 – December 1, 2021)|work=The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center|date=2 December 2021}}

On 30 November, 3 ISIS–K militants were killed in a Taliban raid on a house in the city of Jalalabad. Four Taliban fighters were wounded in the operation.{{cite news|url=https://www.khaama.com/talibans-ops-on-daesh-in-nangarhar-province-three-daesh-affiliates-killed-four-taliban-wounded-6457547/|title=Taliban's ops on Daesh in Nangarhar province, three Daesh affiliates killed four Taliban wounded|work=Khaama Press Agency|date=30 November 2021|last1=Lalzoy|first1=Najibullah}}

On 4 December, ISIS–K released a photo on telegram showing an IED explosion that targeted a Taliban patrol vehicle in Kabul.{{cite web|url=

https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/spotlight-on-global-jihad-december-2-8-2021/|title=Spotlight on Global Jihad (December 2-8, 2021)|work=The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center|date=9 December 2021}}

On 5 December, ISIS–K claimed responsibility for killing two Taliban fighters after shooting at their car in the city of Jalalabad.

On 6 December, ISIS–K claimed responsibility for shooting dead a Taliban fighter in Taloqan. Making this ISIS–K's first claim of responsibility in Takhar Province since the Taliban takeover.

On 9 December, during an interview, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Zabiullah Mujahid, claimed that since the re-foundation of the Islamic Emirate, 25 ISIS–K hideouts had been destroyed and that 670 ISIS–K fighters had been arrested. He also stated that "Daesh is no longer a big threat in Afghanistan. It was a small group that has now been dismantled in Kabul and Jalalabad."{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2333034/no-place-for-isis-in-afghanistan-say-taliban|title=No place for ISIS in Afghanistan, say Taliban|work=Tribune.com|date=8 December 2021 }}

On 14 December, Nada Al-Nashif, the UN deputy high commissioner for human rights, announced that the Taliban had been responsible for at least 50 executions of suspected ISIS–K members, including hangings and beheadings. The same report also stated that the Taliban had conducted at least 72 executions of former Afghan security personnel.{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/14/taliban-rule-marked-by-killings-litany-of-abuses-un-says|title=Taliban rule marked by killings, 'litany of abuses', UN says|date=14 December 2021|work=AlJazeera}}

On 4 January, ISIS–K claimed to have abducted and executed a Taliban 'spy' in the Mamandra region of Nangarhar.{{cite web|url=https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/spotlight-on-global-jihad-january-5-12-2021/|title=Spotlight on Global Jihad (January 5-12, 2022)|work=The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center|date=13 January 2021}}

On 16 January, ISIS–K released footage of one of their operatives shooting dead a Taliban fighter in Herat.{{cite web|url=https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/spotlight-on-global-jihad-january-13-19-2021/|title=Spotlight on Global Jihad (January 13-19, 2022)|work=The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center|date=20 January 2021}}

On 23 January, ISIS–K claimed responsibility for shooting dead a Taliban fighter in Taloqan.{{cite web|url=https://afghanistan.liveuamap.com/en/2022/25-january-iskp-claiming-two-attacks-against-taliban---iedmied|title=ISKP claiming two attacks against Taliban. - IED/MIED blast targeting Taliban vehicle in Kama district of Nangarhar, claiming to have wounded 4. - Targeted assassination of Taliban member in Taloqan, Takhar day before yesterday|date=25 January 2022|work=liveuamap.com|access-date=9 February 2022|archive-date=12 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512135120/https://afghanistan.liveuamap.com/en/2022/25-january-iskp-claiming-two-attacks-against-taliban---iedmied|url-status=dead}}

On 30 January, two Taliban fighters were targeted by ISIS–K gunmen in the Sarkani region of Kunar, on the Afghan-Pakistani border. One Taliban fighter was killed and the other was wounded.{{cite web|url=https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/spotlight-on-global-jihad-january-27-february-2-2022/|title=Spotlight on Global Jihad (January 27 – February 2, 2022)|work=The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Centre|date=3 February 2022 }}

On 13 February, during a televised interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan urges the world to work with the Taliban in order to resolve the ongoing regional humanitarian crisis which resulted in part from the conflict.{{cite news |author=Zakaria |first=Fareed |author-link=Fareed Zakaria |date=13 February 2022 |title=On GPS: Pakistan's PM on the crisis in Afghanistan |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2022/02/13/exp-gps-0213-imran-khan-on-afghanistan.cnn |access-date=2 March 2022}}

On 22 February 2022, Pakistan officials acknowledged that the ongoing conflict was destabilizing Afghanistan and also threatening the stability of Pakistan.

On 4 March 2022, an ISIS–K suicide bomber attacked a Shiite mosque in the Pakistani city of Peshawar, killing 63 worshippers.

On 2 April, ISIS–K claimed to have bombed a vehicle containing Taliban militants with an IED in District 5 of Kabul.{{cite web |date=2 April 2022 |title=ISIS has claimed responsibility for an IED attack targeting a vehicle carrying rival Taliban militants in District 5 of the Afghan capital Kabul Kabul, Kabul |url=https://afghanistan.liveuamap.com/en/2022/2-april-isis-has-claimed-responsibility-for-an-ied-attack |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=Afghanistan news map - security alerts from Afghanistan - afghanistan.liveuamap.com |language=en |archive-date=17 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417132055/https://afghanistan.liveuamap.com/en/2022/2-april-isis-has-claimed-responsibility-for-an-ied-attack |url-status=dead }}

On 11 April 2022 Islamic State transforms and grows in Pakistan and Afghanistan according to a report by the AP news agency-{{Cite web |last=Gannon |first=Kathy |author-link=Kathy Gannon |date=11 April 2022 |title=Islamic State morphs and grows in Pakistan, Afghanistan |url=https://www.stripes.com/theaters/middle_east/2022-04-11/islamic-state-pakistan-afghanistan-resurgence-5650377.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411102155/https://www.stripes.com/theaters/middle_east/2022-04-11/islamic-state-pakistan-afghanistan-resurgence-5650377.html |archive-date=11 April 2022 |access-date=12 April 2022 |website=Stars and Stripes}} A concerted focus on "social media warfare" is critical to advance on the ideological battlefield but also in order to counter the pull of "enchanting" social media influencers, ISIS Khorasan declared in a new issue of the group's English-language magazine. In their magazine "Voice of Khurasan", ISIS Khorasan criticized the management and thinking of the Taliban.{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Bridget |date=11 April 2022 |title=ISIS Calls for 'Social Media Warfare' to Counter 'Enchanting' Influencers and Incite |url=https://www.hstoday.us/featured/isis-calls-for-social-media-warfare-to-counter-enchanting-influencers-and-incite/ |website=HS Today}}

On 19 April 2022, At least 6 people were killed and 17 injured in bomb attacks on two schools in Kabul. The students who attended these centers are from the Shiite Hazara minority, which is the population that lives in the Dashte Barchi neighborhood to the west of the Afghan capital. The Taliban spokesman for the Ministry of the Interior has warned that the death toll could increase. Several injured are in serious condition. No one has immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks but it is suspected that the Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State is guilty of the events{{cite web |last=Pascual |first=Juan Carlos De Santos |date=19 April 2022 |title=Dos atentados contra escuelas matan al menos a 6 personas en Kabul |url=https://es.euronews.com/2022/04/19/al-menos-6-personas-han-muerto-debido-a-dos-atentados-en-dos-escuelas-de-afganistan |website=Euronews}}

{{see also|2022 Mazar-i-Sharif mosque bombing|April 2022 Kabul school bombing}}

The Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State extremist group has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks against the country's Shiite minority during the week of 18–24 April 2022. The bomb attack on a mosque and religious school in northern Afghanistan, from 22 April, caused the death of 33 people, including students. Added to these attacks are those that occurred in two educational centers in the Shiite Hazara minority neighborhood of Dashte Barchi, in western Kabul, causing at least six deaths and 25 injuries, according to official data. several smaller explosions in recent days in different parts of Afghanistan, including another detonation today in a Kabul neighborhood that initially caused no casualties. There was also a roadside mine explosion yesterday in the eastern province of Nangarhar, which left at least four members of the Taliban security forces dead and one wounded. In the city of Kunduz, another detonation against a vehicle left four dead and 18 injured, including children. The Taliban announced the arrest of a former leader of IS-K in the northern region of Balkh, whose capital is Mazar-e-Sharif.{{Cite web |last1=Gannon |first1=Kathy |last2=Amin |first2=Mohammad Shaob |date=2022-04-22 |title=Death toll in Afghan mosque bombing rises to 33, Taliban official says |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2022-04-22/death-toll-in-afghan-mosque-bombing-rises |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}

On Friday, 29 April 2022, the last day of the holy month of Ramadan, there was a new attack against a Sufi Mosque in Afghanistan as part of the wave of violence that is sweeping the country. The explosion occurred in the west of the capital, Kabul, during prayers and killed 50 people,{{Cite web |date=2022-04-29 |title=Afghanistan: At least 10 killed in explosion at Kabul mosque |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/29/afghanistan-several-killed-in-explosion-at-kabul-mosque |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}{{cite web |last=Barberena |first=Ramiro Cué |date=29 April 2022 |title=Explosión contra mezquita en Kabul deja decenas de víctimas mortales |url=https://www.france24.com/es/asia-pac%C3%ADfico/20220429-explosion-mezquita-afganistan-kabul |website=France 24}} The same day two high-voltage towers in Parwan province were bombed on the night of Friday, 29 April 2022, cutting off electricity to the capital and neighboring provinces. Millions of people in 11 provinces of Afghanistan suffered blackouts on Saturday, 30 April 2022 after two power transmission towers were blown up west of the capital Kabul.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-30 |title=Blasts cut power to millions in Afghanistan before Eid holiday |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/30/blasts-cut-power-to-millions-in-afghanistan-ahead-of-eid |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}

On 25 May, at least 9 people were killed in a triple bombing targeting mini-busses in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. IS-KP later claimed responsibility.{{Cite news |last=Elhamy |first=Ahmad |date=25 May 2022 |title=Islamic State claims responsibility for attack in Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif |work=Reuters |editor-last=Adler |editor-first=Leslie |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-attack-afghan-city-mazar-i-sharif-2022-05-25/ |url-status=live |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525200426/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-attack-afghan-city-mazar-i-sharif-2022-05-25/ |archive-date=25 May 2022}}

On 18 June, two people were killed and seven others were injured after gunmen attacked a Sikh temple in Kabul. ISIS–K claimed responsibility, claiming the attack was in revenge for 'insults made by members of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party about the Prophet Mohammed'. Seven ISIS–K gunmen were killed in a firefight with Taliban forces after the attack.{{Cite news |last1=Akbarzai |first1=Sahar |last2=Mehsud |first2=Saleem |last3=Chen |first3=Heather |date=19 June 2022 |title=Islamic State says attack on Sikh temple is revenge for Prophet insults |work=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/06/19/asia/islamic-state-sikh-gurdwara-temple-attack-kabul-afghanistan-intl-hnk/index.html}}

On 3 August, two Taliban policemen and three Islamic State gunmen are killed during a gunbattle at a hideout in Kabul. Four other officers are wounded.{{cite news | url=https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-gunbattle-taliban-islamic-state-khorasan/31973149.html | title=Two Taliban Police Officers Killed in Kabul by Alleged Islamic State-Khorasan Gunman | newspaper=Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty }}

{{see also|5 August 2022 Kabul bombing}}

On 5 August, 8 people were killed and 18 others were injured after a bomb exploded at a Shia gathering in Kabul. ISIS–K later claimed responsibility.{{Cite news |last=Gul |first=Ayaz |date=5 August 2022 |title=Islamic State Bombing Kills 8 Afghan Shiite Mourners in Kabul |work=VoaNews |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/taliban-bombing-hits-shiite-area-of-kabul/6688865.html}}

On 11 August, a senior Taliban cleric, Sheikh Rahimullah Haqqani, was blown up and killed in a suicide bombing during an Islamic seminary in Kabul. ISIS–K later claimed responsibility for the attack.

{{see also|August 2022 Kabul mosque bombing}}

On 17 August, a mosque in Kabul was attacked during evening prayers. It was reported that happen a huge explosion with 21 killed including the mosque's imam Amir Muhammad Kabuli. Another 33 people were injured.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-19 |title=UN condemns deadly attack in Afghanistan-Xinhua |url=https://english.news.cn/20220819/dced1aee5f3f4d5b8b4824155992166b/c.html |access-date=2022-08-21 |website=english.news.cn}}

{{see also|2022 Herat mosque bombing}}

On 2 September, a bombing at a mosque in Herat killed at least 18 people and wounded 23 others. A senior Taliban cleric, Mujib Rahman Ansari, was killed in the blast.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-02 |title=Mosque blast kills at least 18 in Afghanistan |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/2/explosion-at-afghanistan-mosque-kills-prominent-cleric-civilians |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}{{cite web |last=Gul |first=Ayaz |date=September 2, 2022 |title=Top Taliban Cleric Among 18 Killed in Afghan Mosque Bombing |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/top-taliban-cleric-among-people-killed-in-afghan-mosque-bombing/6728382.html |work=VOA News}}

{{see also|Bombing of the Russian embassy in Kabul}}

On 5 September, At least eight dead in an attack claimed by the self-styled Islamic State in Afghanistan. In the explosion, near the Russian embassy, a security guard and the second secretary of the delegation have died. In addition, four Afghan Taliban police officers have also been killed.{{cite web | url=https://es.euronews.com/2022/09/05/al-menos-dos-muertos-en-un-atentado-contra-la-embajada-rusa-en-afganistan | title=El Dáesh reivindica el mortal ataque contra la embajada Rusa en Kabul | date=5 September 2022 }}{{Cite web |date=2022-09-05 |title=Two Russian embassy staff among six killed in Kabul suicide blast |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/5/suicide-bomb-blast-near-russian-embassy-in-kabul-afghan-police |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}} An unclear number of people were injured in the bombing. RIA Novosti reported 15 to 20 wounded{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-09-05 |title=В Кабуле прогремел взрыв в районе, где расположено российское посольство |url=https://ria.ru/20220905/vzryv-1814449910.html |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=РИА Новости |language=ru}}{{Cite web |last1=Volkova |first1=Julija |last2=Kuznecova |first2=Evgenija |date=5 September 2022 |title=Два сотрудника посольства России погибли при взрыве в Кабуле |url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/05/09/2022/6315b5e59a79472d88fe26d0 |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=РБК |language=ru}}

{{see also|September 2022 Kabul mosque bombing}}

On 23 September 2022 a car bomb exploded outside a mosque in the Wazir Akbar Khan neighbourhood of Kabul, Afghanistan. The explosion happened just as worshippers were leaving the building after finishing Friday prayers. Police said that seven people had been killed and 41 injured.{{cite news |last1=Greenfield |first1=Charlotte |last2=Yawar |first2=Mohammad Yunus |date=23 September 2022 |title=Blast near Kabul mosque after Friday prayers kills at least seven people |newspaper=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/explosion-takes-place-afghan-capital-official-2022-09-23/ |url-status=live |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923131805/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/explosion-takes-place-afghan-capital-official-2022-09-23/ |archive-date=23 September 2022}}{{Cite web |last1=Faiez |first1=Rahim |last2=Noroozi |first2=Ebrahim |date=2022-09-23 |title=Taliban: Car bomb near Kabul mosque kills 7, wounds 41 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/blast-heard-near-mosque-in-downtown-kabul/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}

{{further|September 2022 Kabul school bombing}}

On 30 September 2022, a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Kaaj education center in Dashte Barchi, a Hazara neighborhood in Kabul, killing at least 52 people and injuring 110 others.

On 5 October 2022, 4 people were blown up and killed and a further 25 were wounded by an explosion at a mosque at the Ministry of Interior Affairs in Kabul.{{cite web |date=5 October 2022 |title=Four killed in bombing at Afghan Interior Ministry mosque |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/10/5/several-killed-in-bombing-at-afghan-interior-ministry-mosque |work=Al Jazeera}}

On 22 October 2022, The Taliban killed six ISIS–K members during a raid in Kabul. A Taliban spokesman says they were responsible for the September 2022 Kabul mosque bombing and the September 2022 Kabul school bombing.{{cite news |last1=Yawar |first1=Mohammad Yunus |last2=Greenfield |first2=Charlotte |date=22 October 2022 |title=Taliban kill six Islamic State members in raid in Kabul |newspaper=Reuters |editor-last=Birsel |editor-first=Robert |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-kill-six-islamic-state-members-raid-afghan-capital-spokesman-2022-10-22/ |url-status=live |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022180936/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-kill-six-islamic-state-members-raid-afghan-capital-spokesman-2022-10-22/ |archive-date=22 October 2022}}

{{Main|2022 Aybak bombing}}

On 30 November 2022, at least 15 people were killed in a bombing at a madrasa in Aybak.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-30 |title=Students among 15 killed in Afghan school blast |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/30/at-least-15-killed-in-afghanistan-school-bombing-says-official |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}

On 2 December 2022, 2 men disguised in burqas attack a mosque while former Mujahideen leader and Afghan prime minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, was inside. The attackers killed a civilian and injured two others before being shot dead by security guards. Hekmatyar was unhurt.{{Cite web |title=Ex-Afghan PM Hekmatyar escapes unhurt after his building attacked in Kabul: 1 killed, 2 injured |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/ex-afghan-pm-hekmatyar-escapes-unhurt-after-his-building-attacked-in-kabul-1-killed-2-injured20221202221441/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=ANI News |language=en}}

{{further|2022 Kabul hotel attack}}

On 12 December 2022, insurgents attacked a hotel popular with Chinese nationals in Kabul, Afghanistan.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-12 |title=Kabul hotel attack ends as three gunmen killed |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/12/12/kabul-hotel-attack-ends-as-three-gunmen-killed/ |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=Pakistan Today |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Rai |first=Arpan |date=2022-12-12 |title=Explosion, gunshots heard in Kabul as gunmen attack hotel housing foreigners |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-asia/kabul-shooting-afghanistan-taliban-latest-b2243479.html |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=The Independent |language=en}} At least three civilians were killed. Eighteen others, including foreigners, are reported to be among those injured.{{cite news |date=December 12, 2022 |title=Kabul hotel attack ends as three gunmen killed; two foreigners injured |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/armed-men-open-fire-kabul-building-housing-foreigners-sources-2022-12-12/ |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102005916/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/armed-men-open-fire-kabul-building-housing-foreigners-sources-2022-12-12/ |archive-date=2 January 2023}} Islamic State – Khorasan Province claimed responsibility for the attack.{{Cite web |last=Mukhtar |first=Ahmad |date=13 December 2022 |title=Kabul hotel used by China nationals attacked as perceived allies of Afghanistan's Taliban rulers are targeted |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/afghanistan-kabul-hotel-attack-china-chinese-taliban-pakistan-russia-isis/ |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}} Kabul's Emergency Hospital, run by an Italian non-profit near the attacked hotel in the Shahr-e-Naw area, reported receiving 21 casualties - 18 injured and three dead on arrival.

On 27 December 2022, ISIS claimed responsibility for a car bombing that killed Abdulhaq Abu Omar, the Taliban police chief of the country's northeastern Badakhshan province.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-bombings-kabul-7432eff6b09f60503e97a6c99efd6c6f|title=IS claims Afghan car bombing that killed local police chief|publisher=Associated Press|date=December 27, 2022|accessdate=December 31, 2022}} Omar is believed to be the highest-ranking Taliban security official slain since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021.

On 1 January, at least 10 people were killed and 8 others were wounded by an explosion at the entrance to the military airport in Kabul, the Afghan capital, on New Year's morning (01.01.2023), the Afghan Interior Ministry reported without providing further details or the exact number of victims.{{Cite web |title=Afghanistan: Explosion at military airfield kills several |publisher=DW |date=2023-01-01 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/afghanistan-explosion-at-military-airfield-kills-several/a-64256257 |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=dw.com |language=en}} The jihadist group Islamic State (IS) today claimed responsibility for the attack against a surveillance post in the military zone of the Kabul airport and identified the suicide bomber, the same one who attacked a hotel frequented by Chinese citizens three weeks ago in the Afghan capital.{{Cite news |last= |date=2023-01-02 |title=Islamic State claims responsibility for Kabul attack |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-kabul-attack-2023-01-02/ |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=2023-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102122550/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-kabul-attack-2023-01-02/ |archive-date=2 January 2023}}

On 5 January, a Taliban spokesperson stated that its forces have killed eight Islamic State insurgents, including foreign nationals, accusing them of having a "main role in the attack on [Longan] hotel". These killings, along with seven arrests, took place in a series of raids in Kabul and the western Nimruz Province.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-05 |title=Taliban says eight ISIL fighters killed in raids in Afghanistan |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/5/taliban-says-eight-isil-fighters-killed-in-raids-in-afghanistan |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}

On 11 January, at least 20 people were killed in a suicide bombing outside of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul according to Information Ministry official Ustad Fareedun. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Islamic State.{{Cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/11/explosion-outside-afghan-foreign-ministry-in-kabul|title=Deadly 'suicide' blast outside Afghan foreign ministry in Kabul|website=www.aljazeera.com|date=11 January 2023|access-date=11 January 2023}}

On 27 February, the Taliban forces killed two Islamic State militants who they described as "key commanders".{{Cite web |last=Gul |first=Ayaz |date=February 27, 2023 |title=Taliban Forces Kill Top IS Commanders in Afghanistan |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/taliban-forces-kill-top-is-commanders-in-afghanistan-/6981441.html |access-date=2023-02-28 |website=VOA |language=en}}

On 9 March, three people, including Mohammad Dawood Muzamil, the Taliban-appointed governor of Balkh Province, were killed by an explosion at his office.

On 17 March, the Taliban killed several Islamic State-Khorasan Province insurgents and seized weapons and ammunition during raids on hideouts in Mazar-i-Sharif, Balkh Province.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-18 |title=Afghan security forces raid IS hideouts, kill insurgents: official-Xinhua |url=https://english.news.cn/20230318/61fe5e9923ee4bef9becde400fece1c9/c.html |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=english.news.cn}}

On 4 April, six Islamic State members were killed during a raid by the Taliban in Balkh Province.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-04 |title=Taliban raid kills six ISIS members in Afghanistan's Balkh province |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/04/04/Taliban-raid-kills-six-ISIS-members-in-Afghanistan-s-Balkh-province |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en}}

In 2023, Taliban security forces killed the head of the ISIS cell responsible for the 2021 Kabul airport attack.{{cite news |last1=Demirjian |first1=Karoun |last2=Schmitt |first2=Eric |title=Taliban Kill Head of ISIS Cell That Bombed Kabul Airport |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/25/us/politics/isis-leader-killed-kabul-airport-bombing.html |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=25 April 2023 |location=Washington, D.C.}}

On 6 June, ISIS–K released a statement claiming responsibility for a car bombing which killed the Taliban-appointed Deputy Governor of Badakhstan.{{cite news|url=https://ent.siteintelgroup.com/Jihadist-Threat-Statements/iskp-claims-killing-taliban-s-deputy-governor-for-badakhshan-in-car-bombing.html|title=ISKP Claims Killing Taliban's Deputy Governor for Badakhshan in Car Bombing|publisher=SITE Intelligence Group|date=6 June 2023|accessdate=7 June 2023}} It was also reported that the Deputy Governor who was killed was in fact Badakhstan's acting Governor.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-06 |title=Afghan provincial governor killed in car bombing |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/6/afghan-provincial-governor-killed-in-car-bombing |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}

On 8 June 2023, a bombing took place during a mourning service at a mosque in Fayzabad, Badakhshan Province, northern Afghanistan. At least 13 people were killed in the blast, while more than 30 more were injured. The deputy governor of the province, Nisar Ahmad Ahmadi, who was killed that week in a car bombing, was remembered during the memorial service. The bombing happened close to the Nabawi Mosque in Fayzabad, the province's capital.{{Cite news |last=Yawar |first=Mohammad Yunus |date=2023-06-08 |title=Blast in northern Afghanistan kills 11 during funeral of deputy governor |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/blast-tears-through-mosque-funeral-deputy-governor-northern-afghanistan-2023-06-08/ |access-date=2023-07-05}}{{Cite web |title=Afghanistan: Explosion reported at mosque in Fayzabad, Badakhshan Province, June 8, during high-profile funeral prayers |url=https://crisis24.garda.com/alerts/2023/06/afghanistan-explosion-reported-at-mosque-in-fayzabad-badakhshan-province-june-8-during-high-profile-funeral-prayers |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=Crisis24 |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Farzam |first=Ahmad |date=2023-06-08 |title=Ex-police chief killed in Badakhshan mosque bombing |language=en-GB |work=Pajhwok Afghan News |url=https://pajhwok.com/2023/06/08/ex-police-chief-killed-in-badakhshan-mosque-bombing/ |access-date=2023-07-05}} ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, which was aimed at Taliban officials who were attending the service, and also claimed at least 20 senior Taliban officials were killed and 50 others were injured, a higher figure than what the Taliban reported.{{Cite news |date=2023-06-10 |title=Daesh Claims Responsibility For Afghanistan Mosque Explosion |language=en-US |work=Khaama Press |url=https://www.khaama.com/daesh-claims-responsibility-for-afghanistan-mosque-explosion/ |access-date=2023-07-05}}{{cite web | url=https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/afghanistan-is-claims-responsibility-for-badakhshan-mosque-bombing20230612002227/ | title=Afghanistan: IS claims responsibility for Badakhshan mosque bombing }}

On June 22, 2023, ISIS magazine Khurasan Ghag released an issue titled "Shari'a Evaluation of Mullah Hibbatullah's Deceptive Words," which accused the Taliban of actually being "proxy fighters" of "unbeliever intelligence agencies" and also dubbed the Afghan Taliban's "Islamic System" government to not be in compliance with Sharia law.{{cite news|url=https://www.memri.org/jttm/issue-22-iskps-pashtu-language-magazine-khurasan-ghag-dubs-afghan-taliban-be-proxy-fighters|title=Issue 22 Of ISKP's Pashtu-Language Magazine 'Khurasan Ghag' Dubs Afghan Taliban To Be 'Proxy Fighters Of Unbeliever Intelligence Agencies' And Accuses Afghan Taliban Leader Mullah Hibbatullah Akhundzada Of 'Trying To Change The Real Face Of Islam'|publisher=MEMRI|date=June 22, 2023|accessdate=June 22, 2023}} The magazine further accused Western powers of aiding the Taliban's return to power because they assumed that Ashraf Ghani's government would collapse and sought to maintain influence with a regime change, pointing out the Taliban's efforts to build relations with the United States and how the change in government did not end the nation's reliance on American dollars.

On October 13, 2023, an Islamic State suicide bomber attacked a Shia mosque in Puli Khumri, killing seven and injuring fifteen.{{Cite news |date=2023-10-13 |title=Suicide blast at mosque kills 7 in northern Afghanistan |language=en |work=Hindustan Times|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/suicide-blast-at-shiite-mosque-kills-7-in-northern-afghanistan-101697209798394-amp.html}}

On 6 January, ISIS–K detonated an explosive on a minibus in the Shia majority Dasht-e-Barchi, Kabul, killing five passengers and injuring dozens.{{Cite web |last=Gul |first=Ayaz |date=2024-01-07 |title=UN Decries IS-Claimed Deadly Attack on Afghan Religious Minority |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/un-decries-is-claimed-deadly-attack-on-afghan-religious-minority/7429986.html |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}

On 11 January, a grenade explosion outside of a commercial center in Dasht-e-Barchi, Kabul killed two people and wounded 12. No group claimed responsibility for the attack, though ISIS–K is suspected to have conducted it.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-11 |title=Grenade explosion in Afghanistan's capital kills 2 people and wounds 12 in Shiite neighborhood |url=https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-kabul-explosion-shiite-extremism-2125cc22b534704f9b71708fbe64865e |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=AP News |language=en}}

{{Main|2024 Kandahar New Kabul Bank bombing}}

On March 21, a suicide bomber attacked a private bank in Kandahar, resulting in the deaths of at least three people and injuring 12 others. Inamullah Samangani, head of the government’s Kandahar Information and Culture Department, reported that the victims were people who had gathered at the branch of New Kabul Bank to collect their monthly salaries, emphasizing that the victims were civilians. According to medical personnel at the Mirwais Regional Hospital in Kandahar, about 50 others were injured, but the Taliban disputed these higher casualty numbers and insisted that the situation was "under control." Samangani attempted to minimize the severity of the incident, telling journalists; “There is no such issue, and the wounded people are not in serious condition; they have superficial injuries.” Initial investigations by Taliban officials at the Ministry of Interior pointed towards ISIS–K as the perpetrator, a claim later reiterated by the group on their Telegram channel.{{cite news |title=Suicide bomber attacks bank in Afghanistan, killing at least 3 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/suicide-bomber-attacks-bank-afghanistan-killing-least-3-rcna144589 |access-date=24 March 2024 |work=NBC News |date=22 March 2024 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Shah |first1=Taimoor |last2=Goldbaum |first2=Christina |date=21 March 2024 |title=Suicide Bombing in Afghanistan Targets Taliban Heartland |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/21/world/asia/afghanistan-suicide-bombing.html |access-date=24 March 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en}}{{cite news |title=At least three killed in suicide bombing in Afghan city of Kandahar |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/21/at-least-three-killed-in-suicide-bombing-in-afghan-city-of-kandahar |work=Al Jazeera |language=en}}

On 20 April, a sticky bomb detonated while attached to a car, killing the driver and wounding three others. The attack occurred in the Shia majority Kot-e-Sangi neighbourhood of Kabul. The culprits of the attack are believed to be ISIS–K.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-20 |title=A sticky bomb explodes in Kabul, killing 1 and wounding 3 in a mostly Shiite Hazara neighbourhood |url=https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-kabul-bombing-shiite-31252fd9b44d6438a25ff573444d4be7 |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=AP News |language=en}}

On 29 April, a gunman opened fire on worshippers in a Shia mosque in Guzara district, Herat. Taliban officials said the attack occurred at 9:00 p.m. AFT (UTC+04:30) and killed six people. ISIS–K claimed responsibility for the shooting the next day.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-30 |title=Gunman kills at least six in attack on mosque in Afghanistan's Herat |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/30/gunman-kills-at-least-six-in-attack-on-mosque-in-afghanistans-herat |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}

On May 8, a motorcycle bombing killed three Taliban security personnel in Faizabad, Badakhshan. ISIS–K claimed responsibility for the attack.{{Cite news |date=2024-05-08 |title=Blast in north Afghanistan kills three Taliban security personnel |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/blast-north-afghanistan-kills-three-taliban-security-personnel-2024-05-08/ |access-date=2024-12-06 |work=Reuters}}

{{Main|2024 Bamyan shooting}}

On May 17, a group of foreign tourists was attacked by gunmen at a market in Bamiyan Province. Three Spaniards and three Afghans were killed, including a Taliban member, and 8 were injured. ISIS–K claimed responsibility for the attack.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-20 |title=The Islamic State claims attack in Afghanistan that killed 3 Spanish citizens and 3 Afghans |url=https://apnews.com/article/islamic-state-claim-shooting-spanish-citizens-bfb9f9293922a53bb5adc1f647c48d7b |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=AP News |language=en}}

{{Main|2024 Kabul bus bombing}}

On August 11, a bomb planted on a minibus in Dasht-e Barchi, Kabul killed one person and injured 11. No group claimed responsibility though ISIS–K is suspected to have conducted the attack.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-11 |title=Blast In Kabul's Hazara Area Kills At Least 1, Injures 11 |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/kabul-afghanistan-blast-hazara-khorasan/33074636.html |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}}

{{Main|2024 Qala Bakhtiar bombing}}

On 2 September, a suicide bomber killed six people outside of a government building in Kabul. ISIS–K claimed the attack the next day, citing it as a response to the Taliban reactivating the prison in Bagram Airfield.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-03 |title=Islamic State claims Kabul blast citing Bagram base detentions |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-deadly-kabul-blast-2024-09-03/ |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Reuters}}

{{Main|2024 Afghanistan bus shooting}}

On 12 September, ISIS-K gunmen opened fire on a group of Shia Hazara civilians in Daykundi returning form pilgrimage in Karbala, killing 14 and injuring six.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-13 |title=IS militants kill 14 in a Shiite area of Afghanistan in one of the deadliest attacks this year |url=https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-shiite-hazara-attack-c6e6e4004a11569156723f9061a7f0dc |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=AP News |language=en}}

On 22 November, a suspected ISIS-K gunman killed 10 people at a Sufi shrine in Nahrin district, Baghlan.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-22 |title=Ten killed in attack on Sufi shrine in Afghanistan: Interior ministry |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2024/11/22/at-least-10-killed-in-afghanistan-attack-interior-ministry |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en}}

The Afghan Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, Khalil Rahman Haqqani, died on December 11, 2024 in a suicide attack at his ministry offices in the capital Kabul, a Taliban government source indicated. A spokesman later explained that the Islamic State, a rival group of the Taliban, was responsible for the explosion that killed the official.The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the explosion that killed Khalil ur Rahman Haqqani, head of Refugees and Repatriation, who was in his office.{{cite web | url=https://www.dw.com/es/atentado-causa-la-muerte-de-importante-ministro-talib%C3%A1n/a-71025351 | title=Atentado causa la muerte de importante ministro talibán – DW – 11/12/2024 | website=Deutsche Welle }}{{cite web | url=https://efe.com/mundo/2024-12-11/talibanes-ataque-muerte-ministro-refugiados/ | title=Los talibanes confirman ataque y el EI reivindica el atentado que mató al ministro de Refugiados talibán - EFE | date=11 December 2024 }}{{Cite web |title=Khalil Haqqani: Taliban minister killed in bombing in Kabul |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg952q81x8o |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=www.bbc.com |date=11 December 2024 |language=en-GB}}

The de facto Government of the Taliban in Afghanistan held the funeral of the Minister of Refugees, Khalilur Rahman Haqqani on December 12, 2024, amid strict security measures. The attack was claimed by the jihadist group Islamic State (IS).{{cite web | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/afganist%C3%A1n-entierra-al-ministro-fallecido-en-atentado-bajo-estrictas-medidas-de-seguridad/88583584 | title=Afganistán entierra al ministro fallecido en atentado bajo estrictas medidas de seguridad | date=12 December 2024 }}

On 11 February, five people were killed - including Taliban security forces - and seven others injured during a suicide bombing outside New Kabul Bank in Kunduz.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-11 |title=Suicide bomber kills five outside bank in Afghanistan: police |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2589772/world |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Arab News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-02-11 |title=5 people killed in a suicide bombing near a bank in northern Afghanistan |url=https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-suicide-bombing-87208504dc55e6558e54c67682b3d462 |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=AP News |language=en}}

[[File:Afghan conflict.svg|thumb|250px|

Map of Afghanistan as of 28 April 2025

{{aligned table|style=margin:auto|{{Legend|#FFAAAA|under control of the Taliban (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan)}}

{{Legend|#AAFFAA|area of activity of the NRF (Islamic Republic of Afghanistan)}}

{{Legend|#CCCCCC|area of activity of ISIS-K (Islamic State – Khorasan Province)}}

}}]]

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{Cite journal|url=https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/SR395-The-Rise-and-Stall-of-the-Islamic-State-in-Afghanistan.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310221552/https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/SR395-The-Rise-and-Stall-of-the-Islamic-State-in-Afghanistan.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 March 2017|title=The Rise and Stall of the Islamic State in Afghanistan|last=Johnson|first=Casey Garret|date=November 2016|journal=Special Report|issue=395|pages=9–13|publisher=United States Institute of Peace|location=Washington, D.C.}}
• {{Cite journal|url=https://jamestown.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/TM_September-24-2021.pdf?x47723|title=The Taliban's Persistent War on Salafists in Afghanistan|last=Sayed|first=Abdul|date=September 2021|journal=Terrorism Monitor|volume=19|issue=18|pages=9–13|publisher=Jamestown Foundation|location=Washington, D.C.}}
• {{Cite journal|url=https://jamestown.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/TM-PDF-Draft.pdf?x35765|title=Briefs|last=Zenn|first=Jacob|date=5 November 2021|journal=Terrorism Monitor|publisher=Jamestown Foundation|issue=21|volume=19|pages=1–3}}

{{Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}}

{{Taliban}}

{{International military intervention against the Islamic State}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Islamic State-Taliban conflict}}

Category:Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Afghanistan

ISIL-conflict in Afghanistan

Category:Afghanistan conflict (1978–present)

Category:Military operations of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

Category:2010s conflicts

Category:2020s conflicts

Category:2010s in Afghanistan

Category:2020s in Afghanistan