The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has reported a surge in the presence of Islamic State (IS, banned in Russia) militants along Tajikistan's southern frontiers. Colonel General Andrei Serdyukov, Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff, said during a briefing.
Serdyukov stated, "In the Central Asian region, the primary threats to stability emanate from international terrorist and extremist organizations such as the Islamic State, Al-Qaeda (banned in Russia), and others. Specifically, we are witnessing a rise in the number of Afghan members of the 'Islamic State' - 'Wilayat Khorasan' (banned in Russia) - and the Taliban movement of Pakistan near Tajikistan's southern border (banned in Russia). Additionally, the expansion of their training camps is notable. Meanwhile, the bulk of foreign fighters remain concentrated in the northern regions of Afghanistan."
The Chief of Staff also highlighted that factors contributing to the worsening situation include increased migration flows resulting from the ongoing conflict between government forces and opposition groups, repression of national and religious minorities, economic hardship, and heightened humanitarian challenges. Furthermore, he noted the negative effects of unchecked drug trafficking and the illicit arms trade on the region's criminal landscape.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Master Sgt. Christopher DeWitt/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS