Afghanistan Secures Ninth Place in 2025 Global Terrorism Index Amid Humanitarian Crises
Afghanistan ranks ninth in the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, marking a notable improvement as it is no longer among the top five most affected nations. There is a significant decline in terrorism since the Islamic Emirate’s takeover. Concurrently, the UN warns of a grave humanitarian crisis with over 23 million people needing assistance. Pakistan has supported U.S. efforts to reclaim left-behind military equipment, citing security concerns, while the Islamic Emirate sees such equipment as war spoils.
The 2025 Global Terrorism Index, produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace, indicates that Afghanistan has been ranked ninth, a significant improvement as it has fallen out of the top five most terrorism-affected nations for the second consecutive year. The report notes a marked decline in terrorism within Afghanistan since the takeover by the Islamic Emirate, which has reportedly maintained internal stability.
Prominent positions in the index are held by Burkina Faso and Pakistan, occupying the first and second ranks, respectively. Afghanistan’s ranking reflects a broader trend of decreasing terrorism levels, highlighting that the Islamic Emirate’s governance contributes positively to this decline.
Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, emphasized that Afghan citizens are assured of “full security guarantees,” asserting that Afghan territory does not pose any threat to neighboring countries. However, he acknowledged the occurrence of occasional incidents that impact all nations.
The report identifies ISKP as the deadliest group operating in Afghanistan, responsible for approximately one-fifth of the country’s attacks in 2024. Additionally, interactions between the Islamic Emirate and Pakistan have been strained due to disputes regarding the Durand Line and recent Pakistani airstrikes on Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts.
In another development, the Herat governor’s office reported that the first phase of the fourth section of the Khaf-Herat railway will be completed within six months. This project aims to enhance transportation and trade links between Afghanistan and its regional partners, reflecting ongoing infrastructure development.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has raised alarms regarding Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, with over 23 million individuals requiring assistance. This crisis is exacerbated by high levels of food insecurity affecting one-third of the population, alongside malnutrition among vulnerable groups especially children and women.
In international relations, Pakistan has expressed support for a U.S. initiative to recover military equipment left in Afghanistan, citing security concerns regarding its potential use by terrorist factions. Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan clarified that while Pakistan encourages the retrieval of U.S. military assets, it does not facilitate these operations directly.
The Islamic Emirate views the abandoned U.S. military equipment as spoils of war, dismissing the notion that they pose a risk to regional security.
In summary, Afghanistan has demonstrated notable progress in terms of security and stability, as indicated by its ninth-place ranking in the 2025 Global Terrorism Index. Despite ongoing challenges such as humanitarian crises and strained international relations, infrastructure projects like the Khaf-Herat railway signify efforts toward economic development. Furthermore, Pakistan’s supportive stance on U.S. military equipment retrieval reflects the complexities of regional security dynamics. Overall, continuous efforts are essential to maintain the progress achieved and address humanitarian needs.
Original Source: www.ariananews.af
