Lithuania Labels ISIS Khorasan Branch as a National Security Threat

Lithuania has identified the ISIS Khorasan branch based in Afghanistan as a threat to its national security in its latest national security document. Released on Sunday, March 7, the report emphasized an increasing trend of recruitment activities by the group within Lithuania.

According to the document, ISIS Khorasan uses social media networks to recruit members. This process primarily targets young people from Central Asian countries and is organized online.

The report also notes that recruitment efforts extend to young Central Asian exiles, many of whom reside in Lithuania. The number of these young people in the country is reportedly rising.

Previously, Kyrgyzstan’s National Security Service had warned about the expanding recruitment campaigns by ISIS via social media. These concerns arise amid United Nations Security Council reports indicating that ISIS, Al-Qaeda, the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, and several other groups operate in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. This situation once again raises questions regarding the Taliban’s commitment and capability to control terrorist groups.