IEA rebuffs Russia’s claim of terrorists in Afghanistan being ‘a threat to Central Asia’

The Islamic Emirate’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in response to the Russian Defense Minister’s remarks that Afghanistan is a threat to the countries of Central Asia, that since the IEA’s takeover, the territory of Afghanistan has been of no threat to any Central Asian country, and such statements and opinions are not in the interests of any party.

“No foreign group is either active or allowed to operate in Afghanistan; such a comment is not in the interest of any country; we want to be realistic and accurate about this matter,” said Mujahid.

In a meeting with senior military officials, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu called Afghanistan the “biggest threat” to the countries of Central Asia and said that the situation in Central Asia is still complicated. He said in the last year, the number of Daesh fighters in Afghanistan has increased by 15 percent.

Shoigu added that Daesh seeks to spread extremist ideas in Central Asia and tries to carry out subversive activities along the southern borders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and it must be stopped.

He stressed that Russia is taking preventive measures in this matter.

“The situation in Central Asia is still complicated and the main threat is from Afghanistan. Daesh terrorist group seeks to spread radical ideas in Central Asia and tries to carry out subversive activities along the southern borders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization,” said Shoigu.

He also stated that Moscow predicts a 20 percent increase in drug production and trafficking in Central Asian countries.

Since IEA’s takeover, Tajikistan and Russia have conducted several joint exercises on the border with Afghanistan.

About two weeks ago, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev claimed that there are at least 20 terrorist organizations and more than 23,000 fighters in Afghanistan and that the United States is responsible for the current difficult situation in Afghanistan.

However, the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly denied the presence of armed groups in Afghanistan.