Al-Qaeda has purportedly started rebuilding its presence in Afghanistan, taking advantage of the environment created by the Afghan Taliban’s rise to power.
In the aftermath of the Taliban’s seizure of control, several terrorist groups, including Tehreek-i-Taliban Afghanistan (TTP) and Al-Qaeda, have found safe havens, enabling them to flourish.
Afghanistan’s historical significance as a strategic foothold has often made it a hotspot for terrorist activities, with neighboring nations facing the brunt of these threats, according to reports.
Al-Qaeda has reportedly been using its connections with the Taliban to support global terrorist operations, such as trafficking and the drug trade. Notably, the group has been funding its activities through profitable ventures in gold mining, particularly in northern Badakhshan and other Afghan regions.
Despite the Taliban’s reported monthly revenue of $25 million from gold mines, this income does not appear in official budgets, raising concerns about financial transparency.
Since taking power in August 2021, the Taliban has absorbed several listed terrorist factions into its ranks, as highlighted by both the United Nations Security Council and the US Congress.
There are allegations that the Taliban has been providing Al-Qaeda members with weapons, passports, and access to smuggling networks, strengthening the latter’s resurgence.
