New Al-Qaeda Intelligence Reveals Formation of Unified Islamic Army in Afghanistan

The TIC investigative body (Tracking al-Qaeda) claims to have acquired credible evidence regarding the ongoing activities and presence of Hamza bin Laden, the al-Qaeda leader in Afghanistan. They warn that al-Qaeda, in collaboration with the Haqqani network of the Taliban, has initiated the formation of a unified Islamic army aimed at re-establishing a caliphate in the region, with significant increases in their activities across eastern and southern Afghanistan.

Formation of a Unified Islamic Army and the Role of the Taliban

In a serious report, the TIC (Transatlantic Consortium/Tracking al-Qaeda) has stated that over the past five years, it has relied on multiple sources within al-Qaeda and the Taliban to gather credible evidence of Hamza bin Laden’s survival and activities in Afghanistan. This assessment is based on operational information, regular reports of meetings and movements, as well as verified videos and images.

Increased Activities and Expanded Influence

Following the release of a video allegedly showing the al-Qaeda leader in Afghanistan, previously raised claims about the close ties between the Taliban and al-Qaeda’s new leadership have resurfaced. Reports citing TIC indicate that the new al-Qaeda leadership, under Hamza bin Laden, has started forming a unified Islamic army in collaboration with the Haqqani network. The goal of this structure is said to be the rebuilding and expansion of a caliphate across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Security expert Mahsa Heja has reiterated her previous claims regarding multiple meetings between Taliban leader (Haibatullah) and Hamza bin Laden, emphasizing the Taliban’s commitment to ensuring his security by special forces.

Significant Increase in Activities

The Transatlantic intelligence agency has released a new map warning that al-Qaeda’s activities in Afghanistan have significantly increased from August 2021 (the Taliban takeover) to November 2024. Operational centers identified in this map include dozens of training camps, safe houses, travel routes, and media centers in the east, south, and parts of the west of Afghanistan. The most significant focus of al-Qaeda’s activities is in the provinces of Nangarhar, Kunar, Paktia, Paktika, Khost, and Kandahar, which serve as the main hubs for training and operational communications. According to this report, the designated routes indicate that al-Qaeda’s movements are expanding from Afghanistan to Pakistan, Iran, Central Asia, the Middle East, East Africa, Turkey, and even Europe.

Hosting 13,000 Foreign Fighters and the Convergence of Terrorism

Reports indicate that Afghanistan has become a focal point for foreign terrorist groups: UN estimates suggest that Afghanistan hosts approximately 13,000 foreign fighters, including 6,250 members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), 3,000 members of ISIS-Khorasan, 400 al-Qaeda fighters, 500 from al-Qaeda’s subcontinent branch, and other groups including the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and the Tajikistan’s Ansarullah. Recent collaborations include ISIS fighters using Kunduz as a launching point to Central Asia. Al-Qaeda in the subcontinent, under the leadership of Osama Mahmood, has strengthened its cooperation with TTP, while al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is directing its fighters from the Middle East to Afghanistan. The Long War Journal has highlighted Osama Mahmood and Atif Yahya Ghori as prominent al-Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan, noting their significant role in supporting the Taliban, for whom the U.S. State Department has issued rewards of $10 million and $5 million, respectively.