Alexander Zuev, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions, has warned that the Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) in Afghanistan has acquired advanced military hardware, including drones. Speaking at an international forum, he noted that the group is also leveraging artificial intelligence to translate and distribute propaganda into languages across the region.
Addressing the Shanghai Plus security meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the senior UN official explained that the rapid spread of online connectivity has made it easier for extremist groups to recruit in Central Asia. He stressed that the international community must shift toward proactive prevention rather than reacting only after attacks occur.
Drawing on his operational experience in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, Zuev noted that young people and children on digital platforms are particularly susceptible to radicalization. He reiterated earlier warnings issued at the UN Security Council that ISIS-K retains an agile recruitment network and remains a critical regional threat.
Bahodir Kurbanov, head of Uzbekistan's State Security Service, also addressed the assembly, revealing that Uzbek authorities detected over 49,000 online sources containing extremist content this year alone, a 14 percent rise compared to the previous year. He called for a multilateral platform to counter cyber-terrorism and improve intelligence sharing.
The inaugural Shanghai Plus security dialogue gathered 33 delegations from 24 nations, five international bodies, and over 180 security and intelligence representatives. Discussions centered on mitigating the risks posed by emerging tech, AI-driven propaganda, online financing, and digital terrorist recruitment pipelines.
International monitors and neighboring states have consistently voiced concern over the regrouping of militant networks inside Afghan territory under the Taliban administration. Observers emphasize that cross-border threats stemming from ISIS-K operations present a shared security challenge for the entire region.
Source: Shanghai Plus Security Meeting in Samarkand
🌐
