The end of the United States (USA) occupation in Afghanistan in 2021 led to the beginning of the “New Taliban Era”. In this process, it was expected that Pakistan would cooperate with the Taliban Government and support the peace and stability process, and even help end organizations such as Tahrik-i Taliban Pakistan (TTP). However, current relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan are examined, it can be said that the relations between Kabul and Islamabad have become tense with the increase in terrorist attacks against Pakistan.[1]
The most important terrorist activity affecting Pakistan and Afghanistan relations is known as TTP. On July 10, 2024, the United Nations Sanctions Monitoring team published a report covering the activities of TTP, and in this document it was stated that the organization, which emerged on the Pakistan border in 2007, is one of the largest extremist terrorist groups.[2]
According to the UN report, it is stated that it has approximately 6500 soldiers;[3] TTP receives support from the Taliban administration.[4] It is noted that the TTP predominantly aids ongoing terrorist activities in Pakistan from Afghanistan by sending Afghan soldiers. It is also alleged that the TTP organization provides military support for anti-US and NATO terror activities.
The United Nations Sanctions Monitoring team has emphasized that TTP is a major threat to Pakistan’s security and made its assessments in the report in line with terrorist attacks that have caused the death of both security forces and civilians. On the other hand, it is also underlined that this brave attitude of the TTP structure in cross-border attacks was a result of the support it received from the Taliban Government.
The evaluations in the report, not only the activities of the TTP organization were mentioned, but also findings regarding the revival of the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization were presented. It was reminded that terrorist groups such as the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization are a source of insecurity and are likely to spread to neighboring countries if they continue.[5] While making these inferences, the UN drew attention to the long-term relations between Al-Qaeda and Afghanistan. It has stated that the possibility of Al-Qaeda becoming active in the region again is closely related to the Taliban’s inability and unwillingness to fight against terrorism[6]
When we look generally at the arguments published by the UN, it describes the Taliban Government as “a supporter of terrorist groups in the region (Al-Qaeda, TTP)”. According to the information published in the report, TTP’s active role in the region is linked to Afghanistan-supported operational and logistical assistance.
In response to all these allegations, the Taliban Government declared that this published report was “a propaganda text aimed at discrediting the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.” They have rejected the statements in the report regarding the activities of terrorist groups and repeated the claims that “the Taliban does not consider the TTP as a terrorist organization” as stated by the UN.
The response of the Taliban Government to the UN report supports the founding policy of the TTP. Because, as is known, the starting point of Pakistan-Afghanistan problems is Afghanistan’s disapproval of Pakistan’s UN membership.[7] The TTP movements’ pursuit of an “anti-Pakistan” policy[8] is also based on their relations with the UN. When analyzed in this context, the Taliban Government’s denial of the UN report is not a surprising development.
TTP’s attacks in the region are of great significance in shaping the future of Afghanistan-Pakistan relations. The fundamental element that will ensure the sustainability of bilateral relations is regional security. Claims that the Taliban supports the TTP structure lead to tense Afghanistan-Pakistan relations.
Afghanistan and Pakistan are the most important neighboring states of South Asia. In this regard, heir bilateral relations are intricately affected by terrorist activities, with security concerns prominently featured on both sides. The report published by the United Nations Sanctions Monitoring team aimed to find solutions to the security problems of the parties by focusing on the activities of the TTP in terms of content. The response of the Taliban Government to the UN reports has shown that the UN reports are important enough to be taken into account. Therefore, it can be said that UN reports can contribute to the shaping of security policies in the region and help the international community raise awareness on such issues.
However, it can be said that the impact of the UN report on relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan is limited in terms of providing information and data about terrorist organization activities in the region. This situation is related to the complexity of the process and the different interests of the parties. Therefore, it may be difficult for the UN to have a direct impact on Afghanistan and Pakistan relations. On the other hand, it can be considered that the data and recommendations provided by the UN in the report could contribute to strengthening dialogue between the parties.
[1] Akhtar, N., & Ullah, B. (2024). Nexus between TTP and Afghan Taliban: Impacts on Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations. Pakistan Social Sciences Review, 8(2), 269.
[2] “UN: Afghan Taliban increase support for anti-Pakistan TTP terrorists”, VOA News, https://www.voanews.com/a/un-afghan-taliban-increase-support-for-anti-pakistan-ttp-terrorists/7694324.html, (Access Date: 16.07.2024).
[3] “‘TTP now largest terror group in Afghanistan’”, Dawn, https://www.dawn.com/news/1845334, (Access Date: 16.07.2024).
[4] Ibid.
[5] “Tenuous Taliban control gives life to al-Qaida, Islamic State”, VOA News, https://www.voanews.com/a/tenuous-taliban-control-gives-life-to-al-qaida-islamic-state/7693555.html, (Access Datei: 16.07.2024).
[6] Ibid.
[7] Akhtar ve Ullah, a.g.e., s. 269-270.
[8] Akhtar ve Ullah, a.g.e., s. 270.
