Kabul Reacts to Russian Defense Minister’s Remarks on Daesh

The Islamic Emirate in reaction to the remarks of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, alleging an increase of Daesh fighters in Afghanistan, asked Moscow to refrain from making such statements.

The spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that such words will cause a strain in the relations between Kabul and Moscow.

Mujahid pledged to all countries that Afghanistan’s soil will not be used against any country.

“Such concerns are unfounded, and they should not voice their opinions in this manner because it damages the peaceful and secure atmosphere we have. It even damages Afghanistan’s relations with Central Asia. Talking should never occur when there is no reason for it,” the spokesman said.

Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at a Defence Ministry Board Session said that the situation in the region “remains complex. The greatest threat comes from the territory of Afghanistan.”

“The situation in the region remains complex. The greatest threat comes from the territory of Afghanistan. Over the past year, the number of the ISIS militants increased by 15%. Their main goal is to spread radical ideology and conduct subversive activities on the southern borders of the CSTO,” Sergei Shoigu said.

Some analysts shared differing view regarding the issue.

“America and its allies want to scare Russia, China, Iran and Central Asian countries from the soil of Afghanistan and put pressure on them,” said Moeen Gul Samkanai, a political analyst.

“If Russia is telling the truth, it should exchange intelligence information with the Afghan government to manage this program,” said Mohammad Zalmay Afghanyar, a military analyst.

Previous, Nikolay Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of Russia said at the sixth annual meeting of security council secretaries on Afghanistan in Kyrgyzstan’s capital of Bishkek that “the West’s geopolitical schemes encompass Afghanistan with over 20 terrorist organizations, fielding over 23,000 militants, now based in the country.” However, the Islamic Emirate denied his claim.

Source » tolonews.com