The Taliban have rejected comments by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about security threats originating from Afghanistan, saying no country has faced danger from Afghan territory in recent years.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said it was unclear on what basis Lavrov made the remarks and insisted that over the past four to five years no country had been threatened from Afghanistan.
Lavrov said Monday that new security challenges and threats particularly developments linked to Central Asia and Afghanistan are among the top concerns of member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
Responding Tuesday, Mujahid said the Taliban exercise full control over Afghanistan’s territory. He said: “In the past four or five years that the Islamic Emirate has governed Afghanistan, no threat has been directed at any country from Afghan soil.”
However, several neighbouring and regional countries have voiced concerns about the presence and activities of militant groups in Afghanistan.
Russia has expressed concern about the activities of the Islamic State group and Central Asian Islamist movements. Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have also warned about the presence and activities of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and the Ansarullah group in Afghanistan, saying they have faced direct threats.
China has repeatedly raised concerns about Uyghur militants. Chinese officials say individuals linked to these groups have at times targeted Chinese nationals inside and outside Afghanistan. In a recent incident, Islamic State militants attacked Chinese nationals in Kabul’s Shahr-e Naw district.
Pakistan says Afghan territory has become a safe haven for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch separatists. Pakistani officials claim leaders of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Baloch Liberation Army are based in Afghanistan, allegations the Taliban deny.
