Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned that Islamic State Khorasan is the main threat to Central Asia, saying it seeks to use Afghanistan as a base for expansion and the creation of a caliphate.
In a message to a meeting on strengthening efforts to prevent terrorists from obtaining weapons in Central Asia, Lavrov stressed the cross-border nature of terrorist threats.
He said combating terrorism required unconditional unity and the rejection of double standards. He sharply criticised Western countries, saying international counterterrorism cooperation had become hostage to the destructive policies of certain Western states.
Lavrov also highlighted Moscow’s regional security efforts and reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to stability in Central Asia.
He said foreign ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization had approved a draft counterterrorism strategy through 2030 at a recent meeting in Kazan. The document is expected to be submitted to member-state leaders for final approval this autumn.
Lavrov added that Russia was among the 10 largest financial contributors to the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism and had provided $7 million to the office and its technical assistance programmes in Central Asia and Africa.
Taliban Response
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid rejected Lavrov’s remarks about the presence and growing activity of Islamic State in Afghanistan.
Mujahid claimed the Taliban had contained the group’s activities and that it no longer had a physical presence in Afghanistan.
Speaking on Friday, 17 July to Taliban-controlled national television, he said Islamic State movements had been suppressed and that concerns among regional countries were unfounded.
He said the Taliban had full control over Afghanistan and assured neighbouring countries that no threat would emerge from Afghan territory.
The remarks come despite continuing Russian concerns about security threats from Afghanistan, even after Moscow recognised the Taliban and expanded diplomatic and economic relations with the group.
Russian officials have repeatedly warned about the possible movement of extremist groups and weapons from Afghanistan into Central Asian countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin previously said Moscow could not remain indifferent to the security of Central Asian states because of threats originating from Afghan territory.
Alexander Bortnikov, head of Russia’s Federal Security Service, has also warned of increased activity by ISIS-K and its affiliates in Afghanistan.
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov has said more than 20 radical groups with over 15,000 fighters are present in Afghanistan and could infiltrate neighbouring countries.
