The U.S. Department of State has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the disruption of ISIS-K’s financial mechanisms.
According to a statement from the State Department, ISIS-K, an affiliate of the Islamic State based in Afghanistan, funds its activities through the extraction of natural resources, including lucrative talc mines in Nangarhar. The group smuggles these resources out of the country to generate revenue.
“ISIS-K also raises funds through local donations, taxation, extortion of the local population and businesses, and receives financial support from the main ISIS terrorist organization,” the statement said, citing the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
The statement further explained that ISIS-K’s financial facilitators generate income through illicit tobacco sales in Afghanistan and Pakistan and by reselling luxury goods. The group relies on the informal hawala payment system to transfer funds and finance its activities. Additionally, ISIS-K’s leadership has been linked to digital currency addresses used to launder money.
These financial activities have enabled ISIS-K to finance weapons purchases, training, and terrorist operations. The State Department outlined several types of information it seeks, including:
• Front companies engaged in international activity on ISIS-K’s behalf
• Entities or individuals assisting ISIS-K in evading U.S. and international sanctions
• Formal financial institutions doing business with ISIS-K
• ISIS-K transfers of funds and materials
• ISIS-K donors or financial facilitators
• Financial institutions or exchange houses facilitating ISIS-K transactions
• Businesses or investments owned or controlled by ISIS-K or its financiers
• Online fundraising campaigns launched by or for the benefit of ISIS-K
• Financial account numbers and virtual currency wallet addresses used by ISIS-K
• Criminal schemes involving ISIS-K members and supporters that financially benefit the organization
The statement highlighted ISIS-K’s deadliest attacks, which have killed hundreds of civilians in Afghanistan. These attacks have primarily targeted public areas such as schools, mosques, medical facilities, and funerals.
Despite the Taliban’s claims of suppressing ISIS-K, the international community has repeatedly expressed concerns over the group’s activities in Afghanistan. Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s Minister of Interior, told a gathering in Kabul on Thursday that there is no group such as ISIS-K in Afghanistan.
