[1][11] The Islamic State's Afghan branch, namely the so-called "Khorasan Province" (often abbreviated ISIL-KP), has extensively recruited disaffected ex-Taliban,[4] and its mere presence threatens the Taliban's claim to be "the only legitimate opposition" in Afghanistan.

[4][8] The forces of ISIL-KP in northern Afghanistan consist of local Taliban defectors,[4] and an extensive number of foreign mujahideen including Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan militants.

[9] Despite Hekmat's death, several foreign fighters recruited by him remained in Darzab, including Uzbeks, Tajiks, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Indonesians, Chechens, Pakistanis, Turks, and French.

[8] By 18 July, a Taliban source claimed that fighting in Darzab District was restricted to the villages of Aqsai, Qara Yorth, Qarighach, and Tash Jawaz, while ISIL-KP had been allegedly ousted from Kumarlik, Bibi Mariam and Aqblaq.

[4] Islamic State commander Mawlavi Habibul Rahman later claimed that the Taliban had amassed 2,000 fighters in Jowzjan from various areas, including Helmand Province, for this operation.

[10] By 30 July, ISIL-KP was reduced to just two villages in Darzab, whereupon its leaders Mawlavi Habibul Rahman and Mufti Nemat decided to contact the Afghan government;[1] they subsequently agreed to surrender in exchange for protection from the Taliban.

[1] Nemat later claimed that the Afghan National Army had also agreed to evacuate them with helicopters, though this came not to pass; instead, the Islamic State fighters had to reach government-held territories on foot.

[1][9][14] Several women accused Nemat and his troops of having raped them,[9] while other locals said that the Islamic State fighters had executed over 100 civilians, including children, and had practised slavery in Darzab.

[14] The government was consequently widely criticised for "its unexplained action of providing asylum and protection to IS-K militants", prompting officials to declare that the Islamic State fighters would be brought to justice.

[6] Despite claims by both government representatives[1] and Taliban that this campaign had fully defeated the Islamic State in northern Afghanistan, ISIL-KP still held a few districts of Jowzjan, Sar-e Pol and Faryab.