KABUL (Pajhwok): The Islamic State in Afghanistan may have the ability to strike the United States in six months, warns a senior Pentagon official.
Undersecretary of Defense Colin Kahl said US intelligence assessed ISIS-K and Al-Qaeda wanted to conduct external operations, including against the United States.
However, neither had the ability to do so at the moment, the Pentagon official explained while testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.
The National quoted Kahl as saying that the ISIS-K could gain that capability in six to 12 months, Kahl said. Al-Qaeda might need a year or two to be in a position to stage attacks outside of Afghanistan.
Since mid-August, ISIS-K has conducted several suicide bombings in Afghanistan. He believed the Taliban and ISIS-K were mortal enemies.
“So the Taliban is highly motivated to go after ISIS-K. Their ability to do so, I think, is to be determined,” the Defense Department official remarked.
He said the US wanted to weaken both outfits so they were not able to strike. Drones capable of hitting their targets are being flown into the region.
Kahl said it was yet to be determined whether the Taliban forces could effectively battle Daesh fighters after the departure of US troops Afghanistan.
PAN Monitor/mud
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