KABUL: Al-Qaeda has recently begun training members in the use of drones in Afghanistan, according to sources familiar with the development.
Sources said on Monday that the militant network has started training in drone operations, adding to concerns over the activities of international militant groups operating from or maintaining a presence in Afghanistan.
The development comes amid continued international scrutiny of the security situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Various international assessments have previously raised concerns about the presence of foreign militant organizations in the country.
The reported drone training could add another dimension to concerns surrounding militant groups’ access to emerging technologies. Drones can be used for surveillance and other operational purposes, although the specific objectives of the reported training remain unclear.
The Taliban authorities have repeatedly said that Afghan territory will not be used against other countries and have rejected allegations that international militant groups operate freely in Afghanistan.
The latest claim has not been independently verified, and no detailed evidence regarding the location, scale or participants of the alleged training was provided in the available information.
Further confirmation from Afghan authorities or independent security assessments would be needed to establish the nature and extent of the reported activity.
The allegations come amid broader international concerns about militant networks in Afghanistan and their potential impact on regional security.