Alexander Bortnikov, head of Russia’s Federal Security Service, has stated that groups opposing the Taliban, with the support of British intelligence agencies, are attempting to remove certain areas of Afghanistan particularly the northern regions from Taliban control.
According to a report by the TASS news agency, Bortnikov told a meeting of the heads of security and special service agencies of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on Tuesday that ISIS-Khorasan, affiliated jihadist networks, and armed opponents of the Taliban are carrying out activities aimed at weakening the Taliban government with the backing of British intelligence.
Bortnikov claimed that these groups are trying to expand territories outside Taliban control in order to increase their influence in northern Afghanistan. He also warned that ISIS-Khorasan is recruiting fighters from Central Asian countries such as Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.
According to him, these groups have established covert “terrorist” cells and are planning attacks in countries across the region. He added that Russia, in cooperation with the security agencies of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, has prevented several “terrorist” attacks inside Russia.
Continuing his remarks, the Russian intelligence chief emphasized the expansion of counterterrorism cooperation with the Taliban government and stated that regional security is tied to stability in Afghanistan and relations between Kabul and Islamabad.
Since the Taliban returned to power, the activities of ISIS-Khorasan in Afghanistan, as well as armed attacks by the Resistance Front and the Freedom Front, have been considered among the major security challenges facing the Taliban government. In recent months, tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban have also been regarded as one of the key factors contributing to regional security concerns.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
