Explainer: ISKP and other factions of Islamic State

The claim of responsibility from the Islamic state for the devastating suicide bombing at Kabul airport came as little surprise. However, the key question is who is ISKP and why is the militant group at odds with the Taliban?

The events in the last month or so has needed common people and even some journalists outside Afghanistan to take notes and understand the complex dynamics surrounding different terrorist organisations concerning Afghanistan and Pakistan, factions amongst these groups and the overall stand of each of those. The #ISKP (Islamic State in Khorasan) has officially claimed responsibility for today's attacks in #Kabul, #Afghanistan.pic.twitter.com/sRLXUBuE54 Intense clashes between Taliban and ISKP have started in Nangarhar's Khogyani & Sherzad regions since last couple of hours. Taliban forces appear to be pushing ahead after victories in Kunar and driving ISKP forces based in Kunar into Nangarhar. #Afghanistan Even as the US and the NATO troops are preparing for the 31st August deadline, the Kabul Airport and the surrounding areas saw a bloody Thursday on the 26th of August when a series of VB-IEDs and IEDs were set off across Kabul leading to casualties in three digits, including around 14 members of the US security forces.