Syrian terrorists are entering Afghanistan, claims Russian Defence Minister

Moscow/Kabul: At a time when the United States campaign against Taliban has begun to show signs of success, there are indications that the IS and allied terrorist organisations in Afghanistan are growing stronger. Russian Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu has claimed that the terrorist organisations from Syria are entering Afghanistan and other neighbouring countries. The Russian Defence Minister made this claim while addressing a meeting in Uzbekistan, and also warned that this new threat would prove to be detrimental to the stability and security of Afghanistan.

The Russian Defence Minister had recently visited Uzbekistan. During his visit, he met Uzbekistan Defence Minister, ‘Abdusalom Azizov’. There were discussions about the terror threat in Uzbekistan and defence cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan. Shogui clarified that the Russian defence cooperation with Uzbekistan would be related to the terrorism issue.

‘The important issue in the defence cooperation is the threat to Uzbekistan’s security from the neighbouring countries. The Syrian terrorist organisations are migrating to other countries including Uzbekistan. We must remember that the danger and scope of international terrorism is increasing,’ warned the Russian Defence Minister. Shogui expressed concern that along with Uzbekistan the terrorist organisations in Syria are strengthening their base in Afghanistan.

‘When the Syrian terrorist organisations are entering Afghanistan, whether this country is becoming stable and safe or not cannot be claimed’, warned the Russian Defence Minister. ‘Therefore, it is vital to train the neighbouring countries in counter-terrorism, which was the objective of the Russia-Uzbek defence cooperation’, he explained.

Two days ago, special envoy of the Russian President, Kabulov, had warned that the United States should change its anti-Taliban stance and negotiate with them or else be prepared for an endless, bloody war in Afghanistan. On the other hand, the speaker of the senior house of the Afghanistan Parliament had alleged that Taliban, as of today, has become a puppet in the hands of Pakistan, Iran and Syria. On this background, the reference of the Russian Defence Minister to the Syrian terrorism actually without naming IS, attracts attention.