Russia is concerned about the deteriorating security situation in the Sahara-Sahel region, where there has been an increase in the activity of terrorist groups, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Friday.
"We are concerned about the serious deterioration of the security situation in the Sahel, the so-called Liptako-Gourma triangle at the borders of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. There is a significant increase in the activity of numerous terrorist groups that are affiliated with the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda (terrorist groups, banned in the Russian Federation - TASS)," she said.
For example, just two days ago, Zakharova noted, three peacekeepers were killed by terrorists in Mali. "On January 2 in Nigeria, on the eve of the second round of presidential elections, radical Islamists carried out a major terrorist attack," the diplomat pointed out. - "They attacked two villages near the borders with Mali. More than 100 civilians were killed and dozens were wounded".
In this regard, Zakharova stressed that Moscow "strongly condemns the extremist actions committed and expresses its condolences to all the victims." "We consistently support the efforts that are being made at the regional and international levels to counter the terrorist threat in the Sahara-Sahel zone," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. - "We will continue to provide the necessary assistance to the states of the region on relevant issues, including improving the combat capabilities of the armed forces, training of military personnel and law enforcement officers from the region".
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Press Service of the Russian Foreign Ministry / TASS
Based on materials from TASS