According to Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), the Taliban-ISIS war is set to enter its bloodiest phase yet.
The split between the Taliban and ISIS-K is a rapidly accelerating turf war for control of Afghanistan.
The rift between the groups is “rooted in intra-Sunni jihadist differences” going back to the Taliban’s rise in the early 90’s; meanwhile, “fault lines in the Sunni movement in Afghanistan” serve the expansionary efforts of ISIS-K.
As part of its modus operandi, ISIS is well known for its aggressive mass jihad attacks on civilian populations. In July, the Islamic State murdered 80 people and injured over 230 more in jihad bombings in Kabul, aimed at the minority Shi’ite Hazara community.