Watchdog Group Warns of Islamic State Growth in Afghanistan as Taliban Peace Talks Stall

A watchdog group has recently warned that the Islamic State terrorist group is quickly advancing in Afghanistan, an issue that could further slow peace talks between the Afghani government and the Taliban. 

Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John Sopko reportedly said in a recent report that the U.S., Afghanistan and even the Taliban are aware of the Islamic State's "growing prominence" in Afghanistan.

The report by Sopko adds that the terrorist group's advancement "is emblematic of a larger problem in Afghanistan of fractured insurgencies and an influx of foreign fighters with disparate goals," as reported by The Washington Times.

"These numerous groups and fighters not only affect stability and security, but may also strain any future peace processes with the Taliban, as there is increasingly no single entity with which to negotiate," Sopko added.

Recently, the Afghani government spoke about its desire to achieve peace with the Taliban, with a spokesperson saying that it called on "all armed opposition groups to seize the opportunity and join the peace process."

"The government of Afghanistan believes that grounds for the Afghan peace talks are more paved now than before, and thus calls on all armed opposition groups to seize the opportunity and join the peace process," the statement added.

Peace talks between Afghanistan and the Taliban, which were being held in Pakistan, were recently stalled after it was confirmed that Taliban leader Mullah Omar died two years ago in a Pakistani hospital.

Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement that it welcomes the peace talks whenever they resume, saying: "Pakistan and other friendly countries of Afghanistan hope that the Taliban leadership will stay engaged in the process of peace talks in order to promote a lasting peace in Afghanistan."