Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Radio Jihad? Isis launches station in Afghanistan to spread propaganda further

The hour-long Voice of the Caliphate consists mainly of interviews, anti-government messages and songs about Isis

Samuel Osborne
Monday 21 December 2015 18:37 GMT
Comments
An elderly Afghan man listens to a radio early in the morning in Kabul on 16 July, 2015
An elderly Afghan man listens to a radio early in the morning in Kabul on 16 July, 2015 (SHAH MARAI/AFP/Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Isis have launched a radio station in Afghanistan in the hopes of competing with the Taliban to recruit fighters.

The hour-long Voice of the Caliphate, started in eastern Nangarhar province, encourages young people to find a sense of direction in the Islamist movement.

It reportedly consists mainly of interviews, anti-government messages and songs about Isis, NDTV reports.

Isis are also luring members of the Taliban into their ranks.

Haji Ghalib, Achin district governor, told Al Jazeera: "The ISIL militants in Afghanistan are growing stronger and this radio channel is helping them recruit fighters which will make them even stronger.

"Their aim is to brainwash people through this radio channel, however, we are trying to track it and shut it down."

The Afghan army are reportedly struggling to contain Isis after it captured four districts south of Jalalabad, with daily battles claiming the lives of up to 500 personnel per month.

Their surge is thought to have been facilitated by a splintered Taliban and the withdrawl of Western troops.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in