A photo of a TTP member. PHOTO: ARCHIVE
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has said that between 20,000 and 23,000 terrorist fighters are currently operating in Afghanistan, and more than half of them are foreign nationals.
According to the ministry’s report, the total number of terrorists from international organizations active in Afghanistan is estimated between 20,000 and 23,000, and more than half are foreign fighters.
Key groups include ISIS, with about 3,000 members; the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), with between 5,000 and 7,000 members; Al-Qaeda, which has between 400 and 1,500 members; the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), with between 300 and 1,200 members; the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), now called the Turkestan Islamic Party, with between 150 and 500 members; and Jamaat Ansarullah, with between 150 and 250 members.
The report says the TTP, based mainly in southeastern and eastern Afghanistan, continues to focus its attacks on Pakistan, increasing tensions between the two countries.
He highlighted the activities of ISIS-K (Khorasan), which he said has established training camps and sleeper cells in several regions of Afghanistan. While ISIS-K does not pose a direct threat to the current Taliban regime, its attacks have significant “reputational consequences” aimed at undermining public confidence in the Taliban’s ability to maintain security.
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The group is active mainly in the east, north and northeast and seeks to expand into Central Asia to establish a new caliphate, according to the report.
He added that Afghan security forces are actively neutralizing ISIS cells despite continued attacks. The operations have led to the elimination of small groups of terrorists and the discovery of weapons caches. The Taliban have also taken action against mosques where extremist ideas similar to those of ISIS were preached, expelling such people from state institutions and the educational sector.
Despite a reported reduction in ISIS activity, high-profile attacks continued in 2025 and 2026, including an assault on theologians in Baghlan, the murder of a Chinese national in Takhar, and the bombing of a crowd in Kunduz.
Al Qaeda is said to maintain extensive networks in provinces such as Ghazni, Laghman, Kunar, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Parwan and Urozgan. The report says the group is using Afghanistan as a base to expand its regional influence by establishing links with other extremist organizations.
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The ministry also said the Afghan armed opposition remains fragmented and largely ineffective in challenging the Taliban. Groups such as the Afghan National Resistance Front and the Afghanistan Freedom Front have carried out limited raids and surprise attacks, mostly confined to Panjshir, Badakhshan and Baghlan.
Regarding narcotics, the report states that Afghanistan remains a major producer despite the Taliban’s efforts to curb poppy cultivation. The area dedicated to poppy cultivation fell by 20% in 2025, but methamphetamine production has increased.
Smuggling of synthetic drugs, particularly methamphetamine, increased by 50% between 2023 and 2024, according to the report.
