Concerns over the growing footprint of Isis in Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia are continuing to grow. On Wednesday, the group attempted to target the Pakistani consulate in Jalalabad (Afghanistan). Seven security guards lost their lives trying to foil the attack, in which five of the attackers were also killed. The Pakistani embassy staff remained safe. The unfortunate consequence of such attacks has been an increase in diplomatic tensions between countries. What is needed instead is the increased resolve to fight terrorist groups that threaten everyone. Early speculation had suggested that the attack was led by Taliban groups wanting to scupper the proposed talks. But Isis eventually claimed the attack. Last week, the Indian consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif was also targeted; prompting unsubstantiated claims that Pakistan was meddling in Afghanistan. The attack on the Pakistani consulate indicates that the targeting of foreign consulates may be part of a larger shift in the strategy of the militant groups in Afghanistan. The Jalalabad incident came a day after the attack on tourists in Istanbul which killed ten people. The fear is that Isis has been able to establish significant damage ability throughout a vast region.
One example of the growing ability of Isis to launch violent attacks is Turkey, which has found itself in increased international isolation over its role in the fight against Isis. With Isis itself having found firm grounding inside Turkey, the tension between Russia and Turkey after the latter downed a Russian fighter jet has put Turkey on more precarious ground. Turkey was a victim of two major Isis terrorist attacks last year; the new year has begun in much the same fashion. The recent attack has threatened a major section of the Turkish economy, tourism. Already facing the loss of 3.7 million visitors a year from Russia, Turkey now faces the possibility of 5.3 million German tourists choosing a safer destination for their holidays. Turkish President Recep Erdogan has called Turkey the favourite target for terrorist attacks, but with south-western Turkey known to be a route for European Isis sympathisers to enter Syria, there is little sympathy on offer. Terrorist groups like Isis are smart in how they exploit the already existing fractures in international diplomacy. Targeting the Pakistani consulate in Jalalabad can increase tensions between the Afghan and Pakistani governments at a crucial moment. The attack on German tourists in Istanbul can increase tensions in Turkey’s relationship with Europe. If Isis manages to successfully divide the international community, it creates the perfect climate to further its growth.
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