The CIA says it is already working to develop “methods to work within the horizon” (FILE)
Washington:
On Wednesday, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) said it noticed early signs that Al Qaeda could regroup in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
According to David Cohen, deputy director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, current intelligence reports indicate “some possible al-Qaeda motion [returning] to Afghanistan, “Intelnews.org reported.
However, the CIA, in particular, is already working to develop “methods for working within the horizon,” he said.
Cohen said U.S. intelligence agencies are closely monitoring the situation. Speaking at the National Intelligence and Security Summit in Washington, DC, Cohen acknowledged that the closure of the U.S. embassy in Kabul, as well as the closure of a network of CIA stations throughout Afghanistan, had “diminished” the capacity of US intelligence agencies. to assess field conditions, Intelnews.org reported.
Cohen added that much of the intelligence gathered in recent weeks comes from “platforms off the horizon,” meaning that the collection is being carried out from countries bordering Afghanistan.
Right now, the U.S. intelligence community estimates it could take al Qaeda between one and two years to build up its former strike capacity, to directly threaten U.S. interests, Intelnews.org reported.
Al Qaeda’s presence in Afghanistan was the main reason for the US invasion of the country in 2001.
However, with the Taliban back in power in Afghanistan, there is concern that Al Qaeda may return to the war-torn country.
Under the leadership of Osama bin Laden, Al Qaeda worked closely with senior Taliban levels in the 1990s and early 2000s. According to the report, contacts between the two groups continue to exist and could deepen after the exit. of the United States and its Western allies in Afghanistan.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)