Alexander Bortnikov, head of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), has warned that ISIS and its affiliates have intensified their operations in Afghanistan, posing a growing threat to regional security.
Speaking at the 18th Meeting of Heads of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Counterterrorism Agencies in Moscow, Bortnikov said the leadership of international terrorist organisations is increasingly relying on militants active in Afghanistan and Syria. He also highlighted the mobilisation of former prisoners released in Syria, many of whom are citizens of Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus.
Bortnikov stressed that CIS member states face rising security threats linked to instability in the Middle East, Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia. He pointed to regime change efforts in Syria, the war in Gaza, pressure on Iran, and the ongoing crisis in Libya as key drivers of global Islamic radicalism.
“In the past year alone, CIS intelligence services have prevented 550 terrorist and extremist crimes, identified more than 5,500 individuals linked to terrorism and extremism, and prosecuted over 1,500,” Bortnikov said.
His comments echo recent warnings by Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov, who, during a meeting of the CSTO Defence Ministers’ Council, cautioned against the threat of radical groups infiltrating neighbouring countries from Afghanistan. Belousov said more than 20 extremist groups, with over 15,000 fighters, are currently operating in Afghanistan.
In response, the Taliban rejected the claims, stating that such groups were originally formed for intelligence purposes during the US military presence in Afghanistan. The Taliban’s spokesperson’s office insisted that no unauthorised armed groups now exist in the country.
However, the Taliban recently reported conducting a raid against ISIS in Kabul. Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Taliban forces killed two ISIS members and seized weapons and ammunition during a Monday night operation in the capital’s 15th security district.
