UN Report Says Uyghur Militants Move Freely in Afghanistan

A United Nations Security Council sanctions monitoring committee report states that members of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and Turkistan Islamic Party move freely across Afghanistan.

The report indicates these groups finance their activities through poppy cultivation and mining operations, which have strengthened their presence in the region. It cites reports that around 250 members joined Taliban police units in 2025, while fighters from Syria and neighboring countries were urged to relocate to Afghanistan.

Militants receive support and identification documents from Taliban authorities and are increasingly concentrated in Badakhshan province in northeastern Afghanistan, according to the report.

China and several countries designate these groups as terrorist organizations. Beijing has repeatedly urged Taliban authorities to prevent militant activity that threatens regional security.

The UN report highlights ongoing international concerns that militant groups operating in Afghanistan could increase security risks for neighboring countries and broader regional stability.