The Russian Consulate General in Mazar-i-Sharif has temporarily suspended its work because of the deteriorating situation in northern Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, the Russian President's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Director of the Second Asia Department of the Foreign Ministry, told TASS on Monday.
"Yes," he said, answering a related question. - "Many consulates have temporarily stopped their work until the situation is clarified."
"The situation is fluid, the Afghan security forces, as they say, have surrendered too many counties. Of course, this causes nervousness," Kabulov explained. - "That is why many consulates [of foreign countries in Mazar-i-Sharif] have temporarily stopped their work until the situation is clarified."
On Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moscow has observed an increase in Taliban (banned in Russia) activity in several regions of Afghanistan, especially in the northern and northeastern provinces, but is not inclined to dramatize the situation.
According to Kabulov, Russia and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will continue to provide assistance to Tajikistan in securing its border with Afghanistan as planned.
"It [assistance] is provided on a planned basis and will continue in the same mode," he said.
On Monday, the press center of the Border Guards of Tajikistan's State Committee for National Security reported that more than 1,000 Afghan soldiers had retreated into the country after fighting with Taliban supporters. Over the past two weeks, there have already been several cases of Afghan soldiers being forced into Tajik territory.
Earlier, CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas said that the situation in northern Afghanistan was worsening and caused serious concern for the organization. It is necessary to help Tajikistan secure its southern border, he said. On July 1, the Council of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly adopted a statement of concern over the situation in Afghanistan and called on all political forces of the country to promote the peace process.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from TASS