The Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) in Central and South Asia has intensified its online presence, crucial for sustaining activities and recruitment, especially after losing territorial control in Afghanistan. Facing challenges from the Taliban and the establishment of a new Islamic State province in Pakistan, ISKP relies on online recruitment. Traditional sources like Salafi madrasas are restricted, leading ISKP to target Salafists and university students. The group exploits the Salafist-Taliban mistrust, urging revenge against the Taliban. University students, valued for their education and ideological motivation, are also prime targets. The Taliban’s crackdown on ISKP’s recruitment networks on campuses has forced the group to shift its efforts online, utilizing a diverse propaganda ecosystem on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and Telegram.
This study aims to explore ISKP’s narratives, tactics, and techniques in the initial stages of its online recruitment efforts, contributing to a broader understanding of the group’s activities in Afghanistan.
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