By Ebi Kesiena
The Taliban has stated that the exit of the United States from Afghanistan will lead to an end of Islamic State attacks in the country.
Taliban Spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid noted that the Taliban hopes that those Afghans who are influenced by ISIS will give up their operations on seeing the formation of an Islamic government in the absence of foreigners.
The evacuation of tens of thousands of foreigners and Afghans who feel at risk of reprisal or repression under the Taliban came to an end on Tuesday, along with the full withdrawal of US and NATO troops.
Islamic State has been highly critical of the troop withdrawal deal struck between the Taliban and Washington last year, which saw the Taliban offer security guarantees.
One Islamic State commentary published after the fall of Kabul, accused the Taliban of betraying jihadists with the US withdrawal deal and vowed to continue its fight, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors militant communications.
Although both groups are hardline Sunni Islamist militants, they have differed on the minutiae of religion and strategy, with each claiming to be the true flag-bearers of jihad.
In recent years, the IS Afghanistan-Pakistan chapter has been responsible for some of the deadliest attacks in those countries.
They have massacred civilians at mosques, public squares, schools, and even hospitals.
