Russia will take additional measures, if necessary, to prevent aggression or provocations on the Tajik-Afghan border, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Friday.
The diplomat noted a sharp increase in tension on the Afghan-Tajik border, which "cannot but cause concern." "The Taliban (banned in the Russian Federation) movement quickly occupied most of the border counties and now controls about two-thirds of the country's border with Tajikistan," she pointed out.
"The situation on the border is under our closest attention. The 201st Russian base in Tajikistan is equipped with everything necessary to assist the republic in controlling the situation on the border. If necessary, additional measures will be taken with all determination in the spirit of the Russian-Tajik alliance to prevent aggression or territorial provocations," Zakharova said. - "We call on the opposing sides of the inter-Afghan conflict to show restraint and avoid the spread of tensions beyond the country's borders."
She said that Moscow and Dushanbe are in intensive working contact through defense agencies, border services, and diplomatic channels.
On July 5, the press center of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) of Tajikistan reported that 1,037 servicemen of the Afghan government troops had crossed the border into the country and had to retreat during armed clashes with the Taliban. Several such incidents have already occurred over the past two weeks. The press center noted that based on the principle of good neighborliness and non-interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan, the Afghan soldiers were allowed to cross into the territory of Tajikistan.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Mikhail Tereshchenko / TASS
Based on materials from TASS