DERA ISMAIL KHAN/ISLAMABAD, Oct 4 - The Pakistani Taliban declared allegiance to Islamic State on Saturday and ordered militants across the region to help the Middle Eastern jihadist group in its campaign to set up a global Islamic caliphate. Islamic State, which controls swathes of land in Syria and Iraq, has been making inroads into South Asia, which has traditionally been dominated by local Taliban insurgencies against both the Pakistan and Afghanistan governments. The announcement comes after a September move by al Qaeda chief, Ayman al-Zawahri, to name former Taliban commander Asim Umar as the "emir" of a new South Asia branch of the network that masterminded the 2001 attacks on the United States. Although there is little evidence of a firm alliance yet between IS and al Qaeda-linked Taliban commanders, IS activists have been spotted recently in the Pakistani city of Peshawar distributing pamphlets praising the group. IS flags have also been seen at street rallies in Indian-administered Kashmir. The trend has been of growing concern to global powers struggling to keep up with the fast-changing nature of the international Islamist insurgency. In a message marking the Muslim holy festival of Eid al-Adha, the Pakistani Taliban said they fully supported IS goals. "Oh our brothers, we are proud of you in your victories. We are with you in your happiness and your sorrow," Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said in a statement sent to Reuters by email from an unknown location. "In these troubled days, we call for your patience and stability, especially now that all your enemies are united against you. Please put all your rivalries behind you ... "All Muslims in the world have great expectations of you ... We are with you, we will provide you with Mujahideen (fighters) and with every possible support." The statement, released in Urdu, Pashto and Arabic, was sent after Islamic State militants beheaded British aid worker Alan Henning in a video posted on Friday, triggering condemnation by the British and U.S. governments. It also came despite recent speculation that the Taliban leadership, whose goal is to topple the government and set up a Sharia state, is actually wary of IS, which is driven by different ambitions that have little to do with South Asia. The Pakistani Taliban, funded by local as well as foreign charity donations from wealthy supporters in the Gulf and elsewhere, operate separately from the Afghan insurgents of the same name, but are loosely aligned with them. There are concerns about further turmoil in the region as most U.S.-led foreign troops withdraw from Afghanistan this year, with groups like the Haqqani network likely to exploit the security vacuum to strengthen their hold on Afghan regions. The Haqqani network, despite being based in Pakistan, is narrowly focused on its insurgency in Afghanistan and has not commented on IS-related developments. The Pakistani Taliban have been beset by bitter internal rivalries over the past year, with the influential Mehsud tribal faction of the group refusing to accept the authority of Mullah Fazlullah, who came to power in late 2013. IS, in an effort to extend its global reach, could exploit these rivalries to its advantage, wading into a region ripe with fierce anti-Western ideology and full of young unemployed men ready to take up guns and fight for Islam.
More
Vietnam FM Bui Thanh Son enjoys 'pho,' walks with Indonesian counterpart in Hanoi
This is not the first time that Minister Son has invited a foreign counterpart to have breakfast and take a stroll in the Vietnamese capital
Read more
As plastic treaty talks open, countries more divided than ever
A handful of fossil fuel-dependent nations calling themselves the 'Like-Minded Countries' have argued against limiting production or banning certain chemicals
18 hours agoMichelangelo's David gets spa treatment in Florence
David's bi-monthly cleaning, then, is 'a form of respect, a form of dignity that we want to give to every work'
2 months agoAsia hit hardest by climate, weather disasters in 2023:UN
Asia was the world’s most disaster-hit region from climate and weather hazards in 2023, the United Nations said Tuesday, with floods and storms the chief cause of casualties and economic losses
1 day agoIn world first, Venice to trial day tickets
Day visitors will for the first time have to buy a five-euro ($5.3) ticket
18 hours agoMalaysian navy helicopters collide in mid-air, 10 killed
All victims were confirmed dead at the scene
1 day agoHighlights
Vietnam FM Bui Thanh Son enjoys 'pho,' walks with Indonesian counterpart in Hanoi
This is not the first time that Minister Son has invited a foreign counterpart to have breakfast and take a stroll in the Vietnamese capital
Photos
Artist paints murals on house to raise awareness of COVID-19 prevention in Hanoi
He drew the virus, vaccine, and earth on the exterior walls of a house
Latest news
Breakfast @ Tuoi Tre News — April 25
Good morning from Vietnam!
Vietnam FM Bui Thanh Son enjoys 'pho,' walks with Indonesian counterpart in Hanoi
This is not the first time that Minister Son has invited a foreign counterpart to have breakfast and take a stroll in the Vietnamese capital
Vincom Retail retains name after Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup divests capital
‘Vincom Retail has no intention of altering its name’
Ho Chi Minh City wants to attract remittances for infrastructure development
Incoming remittances to Vietnam totaled US$206 billion between 1993 and 2023
Police, military units take action to help relieve water stress for Vietnam’s Central Highlands
The supply of fresh water from Company 72 has made locals' daily lives less challenging
Vietnamese freestyle football champion debuts at LaLiga half-time
The spectators reacted with surprise and enthusiasm to the half-time performance by the Vietnamese footballer
Key growth drivers of WinCommerce
Starting from the onset of 2023, WinCommerce's leadership foresaw the challenges ahead for the modern retail sector in Vietnam
Vietnam, S.Korea co-chair 11th defense policy dialogue
The Vietnam-South Korea defense cooperation has achieved pragmatic, outstanding outcomes
Endangered sea turtle from Malaysia lays eggs on Vietnam island
The turtle laid 108 eggs
Vietnam, US co-host workshop on boosting cooperation in AI development
The workshop marks a significant turning point in promoting responsible AI development and policy throughout South and Southeast Asia