At least 12 U.S. service members were killed in action in Afghanistan on Thursday. They were victims of two ISIS-Khorasan Province bombings against the Kabul airport perimeter. Dozens of innocent Afghans were also killed in the attacks.
While ISIS-K is assessed with high confidence to be the culprit of these attacks, the Taliban’s shared culpability must not escape attention.
As I noted earlier on Thursday, U.S. and British officials have been concerned this week that the Taliban have given ISIS-K latitude to operate in Kabul — greater latitude, that is, than normal. After all, ISIS-K and the Taliban are enemies engaged in a multiyear war. The Taliban’s relationship with ISIS-K is the direct opposite of their relationship with al Qaeda.
But even if ISIS-K and the Taliban are enemies, they share a common nemesis: America and, more generally, the West. And in recent days, U.S.-led intelligence efforts have watched as ISIS-K has expanded its operational activity in Kabul with relative impunity (a second question, here, is whether U.S. commanders at the airport had the authority to target ISIS-K reconnaissance units). Considering the Taliban’s massed presence in Kabul, including intelligence forces, their failure to confront ISIS relentlessly is noteworthy (Gen. Frank McKenzie of Central Command did say Thursday that the Taliban have provided some defensive support). This failure may not be the result of a Taliban senior leadership decision, but rather one made at a lower, local level.
We already know that the Taliban have, in recent days, further restricted access to the airport. We also know they have a strategic interest in inflicting pain and embarrassment on the United States. So, it is eminently feasible that the group would welcome an ISIS attack on the airport.
Of course, feasible does not mean proven. However, if it is confidently established that the Taliban (or elements within the group) did facilitate this attack, Biden must hold the Taliban responsible.
