AP Interview: US General says Afghan IS loyalists growing

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Supporters of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan are attempting to establish a regional base in the eastern city of Jalalabad, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, General John Campbell, said on Tuesday.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Campbell said that "foreign fighters" from Syria and Iraq had joined Afghans who had declared loyalty to the group in the eastern province of Nangarhar, bordering Pakistan.

He said there were also "indications" that the IS supporters in Nangarhar were trying to consolidate links with the group's leadership in Syria and Iraq.

The Islamic State group controls about a third of Iraq and Syria. Fighters loyal to the group in Afghanistan include disaffected Afghan and Pakistani Taliban who have fought fierce battles with the Taliban in recent months. - Read More

AP Interview: US General says Afghan IS loyalists growing