A research paper by the Afghan Institute of Strategic Studies (AISS) has found that Daesh’s Khorasan branch which operates in Afghanistan is "fragile and disunited."

The research paper titled “Islamic State Wilayat Khorasan: Phony Caliphate or Bona Fide Province?” was based on a series of interviews with a number of Daesh prisoners in which they talked about the techniques and ideology of the group. 

Speaking at the ceremony to present the research paper, Dr. Dawood Azami, head of the BBC in London (Pashto department), said that Daesh is the first group in Afghanistan that has challenged the Taliban both militarily and ideologically.

According to Azami, Daesh not only rejected the “Emirate” but also challenged the legitimacy of the group's leader by declaring the caliphate.

“All fighters operating within the ranks of Daesh never joined this group because of their ideology, they joined Daesh because of some financial issues,” said  Hussain Ehsani, an AISS researcher. 

According to the research paper, Daesh militants are currently operating in the north, east and some areas in the west of the country, and they receive financial and military support from neighboring countries.

Some other speakers at the event raised deep concerns over what they described as the influence of Daesh among some young people.

“it's natural-- some of these people who do not see a future for themselves are being recruited by such groups very easily, said Sima Samar, the former head of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC).

“Most of their activities are limited in the country, rather than coordinated and organizational activity, which is seen in Iraq or Syria, although some of their activities are concerning,” said Ramin Kamangar, an AISS researcher.

The researchers suggested that the Afghan government learn from the ways the Iraqi Kurds tackled Daesh in their areas.

Researchers said that the Afghan government needs to define a clear strategy for preventing the entry of Daesh affiliates into Afghanistan’s territory.

Although the Afghan government has in the past said that Daesh has been defeated in Afghanistan, there are reports that the group is still active in some areas of Kunar and Baghlan provinces.