WASHINGTON: China is supplying modern-day weapons to the Taliban in the wake of the current attack by the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) on a hotel in Kabul that primarily housed Chinese nationals, writes Zafar Iqbal Yousafzai, author of The Troubled Triangle: US-Pakistan Relations under the Talibans Shadow in The Jamestown Foundation.The move comes as unstable and unpredictable Afghanistan threatens Chinese interests and could be a difficulty to the success of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Chinese sources have actually revealed concern that uncertainty and discontent might lead to Afghanistan becoming a hotbed for terrorists targeting Chinas Xinjiang and its interests overseas, such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, where boosted interaction and coordination in between China and Pakistan is needed to deal with possible threats, reported Global Times.On December 12, members of ISKP assaulted a regional hotel in Kabul, where numerous Chinese nationals were staying.
The attack injured 5 Chinese nationals in addition to 18 other victims, while the 3 aggressors were eliminated by security forces.It was reported that Chinese businesspeople run the hotel, which is often checked out by Chinese diplomats and company individuals, reported Global Times.In response, Peoples Republic of China (PRC) Foreign Ministry representative Wang Wenbin mentioned, China is deeply shocked at the attack, which is highly outright, and securely opposes terrorism in any type.
In response to these challenges, China has actually looked for to supply the Taliban with sufficient assistance to combat all kinds of terrorism and extremism in Afghanistan, stated Yousafzai.Several elements have just recently driven China to deepen its engagement with and assistance for the Taliban.
When Kabul fell to the Taliban, the world was stunned and worried about the Taliban in power; nevertheless, some countries like Iran, Russia, China, and Pakistan were among those expecting stability in Afghanistan and asking the international neighborhood to assist the Taliban support the country.In addition, China saw the United States existence in Afghanistan as a tactical risk to China.
As an outcome, the US withdrawal and the return to power of the Taliban, with whom Beijing has close ties, were typically viewed as helpful geopolitical advancements for China, reported The Jamestown Foundation.China has tactical, political, financial, and security interests in Afghanistan that it wishes to secure.
The presence of any central administration judgment Kabul that is comfortable with China agrees with to the latter.China-Taliban engagement is not brand-new.
The Taliban have been frequent visitors to China for several years.
Even in the 1990s, Beijing engaged with the Taliban to curb militants infiltration into western China.Afghanistan is necessary to Beijing tactically and economically as it links China with the Persian Gulf and Iran.
Likewise, Afghanistan is a potential route for BRI with substantial natural resources.Hence, China had been pushing the Taliban to take a clear stance vis-a-vis militancy, i.e., East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM).
Up until now, the Taliban have actually stated unequivocally that they will not interfere in the internal affairs of any country, stated Yousafzai.China is offering humanitarian aid and concessions to the Taliban federal government; however, numerous developments are still off the record.One such behind-the-scenes advancement is Chinas provision of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the Taliban, which has considerably boosted its forces battle abilities, reported The Jamestown Foundation.The first drone was attained through a front business from China and cost USD 60,000, which engineers customized to bring 4 mortar rounds, reported New Lines Magazine on September 15, 2021.
Nevertheless, the drone unit still uses modified industrial drones for surveillance and operations.
In order to upgrade its UAV capabilities, the Taliban have actually struck a deal with China to purchase Blowfish attack drones.The Blowfish reinforces the Talibans combat ability in operations against its challengers, particularly ISKP.
It will also put substantial pressure on other resistance motions, including the National Resistance Front in the Panjshir Valley, reported The Jamestown Foundation.China has economic, political, security and tactical interests in Afghanistan and has actually preserved close contact with the Taliban over the last decade.Moreover, Beijing wants the Taliban not to allow Afghanistans soil to be used as a base for operations targeting China.However, Chinas reported shipment of battle drones to the Taliban will substantially impact US-China relations and the Talibans combat capability to target ISKP and other foes, said Yousafzai.
(ANI)