Washington (Kubha News) – US Army General Michael E. Kurilla, cautioned that ISIS-Khorasan-affiliated groups in Afghanistan could potentially target American interests within the next six months, without prior warning.
Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee about the fiscal year 2025 defense authorization request and the future year’s defense program, General Kurilla emphasized that ISIS-Khorasan retains both the capability and intent to launch attacks against US and Western interests abroad. “ISIS surged their attacks in Iraq and Syria earlier this year, and the risk of attack emanating from Afghanistan is increasing. ISIS Khorasan retains the capability and will to attack U.S. and Western interests abroad in as little as six months and with little to no warning”, he added.
Responding to queries regarding US military surveillance in Afghanistan, General Kurilla acknowledged the diversion of intelligence and reconnaissance assets from the region to Iraq, Syria, and Yemen to safeguard troops and maritime assets.
Furthermore, General Kurilla warned of China and Russia’s opportunistic exploitation of destabilizing forces in the region, expressing concerns over their limited efforts to alleviate tensions. He stressed the critical importance of the CENTCOM region to global energy supplies and international trade, emphasizing its strategic significance in safeguarding American security and prosperity.
Expressing apprehension regarding Washington’s operational capabilities in Afghanistan, Senator Fisher highlighted the United States’ limited military engagements in the region post-withdrawal. She noted that since the withdrawal, the US has only executed one targeted strike, targeting Ayman al-Zawahiri. Senator Fisher underscored concerns about the absence of reliable regional partners, emphasizing America’s reliance on Pakistan to access Afghanistan’s airspace.
General Michael Kurilla warned last year also that ISIS could potentially develop the capability to target the United States and other Western countries outside of Afghanistan within six months if it redirects its focus towards such attacks