What is ISIS-K? What we know about the terrorist group that worries the world

ISIS-K: the terrorist group that keeps the US on alert 1:47

(CNN Spanish) - 

The terrorist attack perpetrated at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan, which left more than 60 dead and 140 wounded, has turned its gaze to a terrorist group with a familiar name: ISIS-K, which claimed responsibility for the attack .

The Islamic State of Khorasan, also known as ISIS-Khorasan, ISIS-K, IS-K or ISIL-K, is an offshoot of the ISIS terrorist group that first emerged in Syria and Iraq, and while the affiliates share an ideology and tactics, the depth of their relationship with respect to organization and command and control has never been fully established.

The group's name comes from their terminology for the area that includes Afghanistan and Pakistan, and which they call "Khorasan"

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Experts say the group, made up of some veteran jihadists from Syria and elsewhere, has strengthened its presence in eastern Afghanistan and formed cells in Kabul.

According to a United Nations (UN) report, despite the territorial, financial, leadership and personnel losses suffered in 2020 in the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan (ISIL-K) continue posing a threat to Afghanistan as well as to the region.

In all, there are an estimated 1,500-2,200 fighters in Afghanistan.

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Who makes up ISIS-K?

US intelligence officials previously told CNN that ISIS-K members include "a small number of veteran Syrian jihadists and other foreign terrorist fighters," and said the United States had identified between 10 and 15 of its top operatives in Afghanistan. 

"Many of them are former members of the Taliban movement who put on the ISIS patch to call themselves the biggest and baddest on the street," Peter Bergen, author of the book "The Rise and Fall of Osama bin Laden," told CNN.

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Bergen explains that ISIS-K is an enemy of the Taliban.

"The Taliban are fighting them. Really, you know, it's more of a local rivalry."

"For a number of reasons, from ideological to political and military. Frankly, ISIS does not believe in the political agenda. ISIS believes that only God can rule and although the Taliban are trying to establish an Islamic emirate, that is not enough for ISIS. . ISIS is a bit more extreme, "terrorism analyst Colin Clarke told CNN.

According to Clarke, ISIS-K is more draconian than the Taliban, since in the areas they control, he explains, they enforce strict Sharia law, and execute civilians and others on suspicion of being spies.

"They want to attract and recruit the most enthusiastic sociopaths in the country. And their calling card is this, you know, rapacious and rampant violence against anyone who gets in their way. That really helps them bring other fighters into the organization that they have a similar mindset, "Clarke said.

Pentagon: Despite attacks, we continue with the evacuation 2:05

Recent attacks

The Islamic State of Khorasan (ISIS-K) claimed responsibility for the suicide attack near the Kabul airport on Thursday and indicated that the name of the suicide bomber is "Abdul Rahman al-Logari."

The ISIS media arm, Amaq, provided a photo of who it claims is the attacker and indicated in a statement that its "fighter" was able to overcome all security fortifications, reaching a distance of "no more than five meters from United States forces. "

However, the terrorist group did not provide any evidence to support the claim.

On Thursday afternoon, referring to the attack, US President Joe Biden said that "we are going to pursue those responsible and we are going to make them pay, we will not stop the evacuation, those ISIS terrorists are not going to win."

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The inspector general for Afghanistan Reconstruction, an independent office created by the US Congress, said in a report, covering the months of April to June this year, that "ISIS-Khorasan took advantage of the political instability and increased of violence during the quarter targeting sectarian minority targets and infrastructure to spread fear and highlight the Afghan government's inability to provide adequate security. "

ISIS-K has formed cells in Kabul that have carried out a series of devastating suicide attacks in and outside the Afghan capital since 2016.

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For example, in May this year, ISIS-K attacked a girls' school in Kabul and killed at least 68 people, injuring more than 165, according to an assessment by the Defense Intelligence Agency cited by the inspector general.

And in June, at least 10 people were killed and 16 others injured in an attack on the British-American charity HALO Trust.

ISIS-Khorasan claimed responsibility for the attack on the camp in the northeastern province of Baghlan.

The group has built a presence in eastern Afghanistan in recent years, especially in Nangahar and Kunar provinces.

Last August, the group attacked the main prison in Jalalabad, the capital of Nangahar, in an effort to free dozens of its supporters who had been captured by the Afghan Army and Police.

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The first explosion was confirmed by Pentagon press secretary John Kirby.

Then, near the same door, there was a second explosion.

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Smoke rises from Kabul airport on August 26, 2021. (Credit: Photo / Wali Sabawoon)

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One of the first images obtained after the explosions (Image obtained by CNN)

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The explosions caused injuries and deaths (Image obtained by CNN)

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The first images after the explosions show people fleeing the scene (Image obtained by CNN)

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Medical personnel transport an injured man after the explosions (Credit: WAKIL KOHSAR / AFP via Getty Images)

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A woman injured by the blasts arrives at the hospital for treatment (Credit: WAKIL KOHSAR / AFP via Getty Images)

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This is how doctors work as people injured by the explosions in Kabul arrive (Credit: WAKIL KOHSAR / AFP via Getty Images)

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Volunteers help doctors treat the wounded who arrive at the hospital after the explosions (Credit: WAKIL KOHSAR / AFP via Getty Images)

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The Italian NGO "Emergency" reported this Thursday that at least six people were considered "dead upon arrival" at the organization's Surgical Center for War Victims in Kabul (Credit: WAKIL KOHSAR / AFP via Getty Images)

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Volunteers help move people injured by the explosions

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Taliban soldiers stand in a van as volunteers bring those injured by the blasts to the hospital (Credit: WAKIL KOHSAR / AFP via Getty Images)

Jim Sciutto, Tim Lister, and Brian Todd contributed to this report.

Afghanistan ISIS terrorist attack Terrorists