Northern provinces of Afghanistan are rapidly turning into a new hotspot, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko says.
"The Taliban almost completely control the border with Tajikistan. Numerous international terrorist organizations, in particular, the IS and branches of the al-Qaeda (both groups are banned in Russia) are strengthening their positions," he said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
Terrorists from war zones in the Middle East and North Africa are also flocking to the region.
"The process of recruiting natives of Central Asian countries into the ranks of such organizations is in an active phase. Drug production has reached record heights," Rudenko described the situation.
According to the diplomat, the situation poses a direct threat to Central Asia.
"We share the relevant fears of our neighbors <...>. The importance of our coordinated work in order to minimize the negative influence of these risks to the security of our countries was mentioned during the fourth meeting of the heads of the Russian and Central Asian foreign ministries in Tashkent on July 16, and in the joint statement adopted based on its results," he said.
Rudenko attributes much of what has been described to the hasty withdrawal of the American contingent from the country.
There is a standoff in Afghanistan between the government forces and Taliban fighters, who have taken control of large territories in rural areas and attacked major cities. Instability in Afghanistan is growing as US troops are leaving the country.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from RIA Novosti