A new report submitted to the United Nations Security Council by its sanctions monitoring committee has highlighted the continued presence and operational freedom of Uyghur militant groups inside Afghanistan, renewing international scrutiny over regional security risks.
According to the report, members of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) are able to move freely across various parts of Afghanistan. The findings indicate that these groups have strengthened their foothold in the country, particularly in northeastern Badakhshan province, where their presence is said to be increasingly concentrated.
The monitoring committee states that the groups finance their activities through involvement in poppy cultivation and mining operations, providing them with sustained revenue streams and logistical resilience. The report further notes that approximately 250 members of these groups reportedly joined Taliban police units in 2025, while fighters based in Syria and neighboring countries were encouraged to relocate to Afghanistan.
In addition, the report alleges that members of these organizations receive identification documents and forms of support from Taliban authorities, enabling greater mobility and operational flexibility within the country.
China, along with several other nations, designates ETIM and TIP as terrorist organizations. Beijing has repeatedly called on the Taliban authorities to take concrete measures to prevent militant activity that could threaten regional security, particularly in areas bordering China and Central Asia.
The UN report underscores ongoing concerns among Security Council members and regional governments that the continued activity of militant groups within Afghanistan may heighten security risks for neighboring states and undermine broader regional stability.
The findings are expected to inform further discussions within the Security Council regarding counterterrorism monitoring, sanctions enforcement, and international engagement strategies aimed at addressing extremist networks operating in Afghanistan.
The United Nations has reiterated the importance of sustained international vigilance and coordinated efforts to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for transnational militant organizations.
