By Fidel Rahmati in The Khaama Press Online, October 13, 2023
On Friday, the President of Russia issued a warning during a meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Bishkek regarding the situation in Afghanistan.
Vladimir Putin stated that significant threats emanate from Afghanistan, and Russia supports Tajikistan’s concerns regarding the threats from Afghanistan.
He said, “I understand the rationality of supporting Tajikistan’s concerns about threats emanating from Afghan soil. The situation in that country is complex.”
Imam Ali Rahman, the President of Tajikistan, has consistently raised concerns about the active presence of terrorists along the Afghan borders and their efforts to infiltrate Tajikistan and neighbouring Central Asian countries. He has underscored the gravity of this security threat, emphasizing the need for collective action and support from regional partners to address the situation effectively.
In a significant development, on Friday morning, the Presidents of Russia and Tajikistan engaged in separate discussions on the sidelines of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) meeting.
During these talks, they focused on the evolving situation in Afghanistan. These high-level dialogues reflect the shared commitment of both nations to assess and respond to the challenges posed by the instability in Afghanistan, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation and coordination in addressing security concerns.
The meetings between the Russian and Tajikistani leaders demonstrate their recognition of the urgency surrounding the Afghan situation and the need to collaborate closely to address the threats from the region. These diplomatic efforts are part of broader regional initiatives to ensure stability and security in Central Asia amidst the evolving dynamics in Afghanistan.
In September of this year, the National Security Committee of Tajikistan announced that three terrorists had been targeted and killed near the border with Afghanistan. Tajikistan stated that these individuals were members of the “Jamiat Ansarullah” group and were planning terrorist attacks in the country.
Additionally, over the past two years, ISIS has launched multiple rocket attacks from Afghan territory into Tajikistan and carried out a suicide attack in front of the Russian Embassy in Kabul, resulting in the deaths of two Russian diplomats.
Following the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, Russia modernized its military base in Tajikistan to enhance border security.
Commonwealth of Independent States members are Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Moldova.
https://www.khaama.com/putin-expresses-support-for-tajikistan-amid-growing-threats-from-afghanistan/
