According to various sources, about 2,500-3,000 militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) are now in northern Afghanistan, Russian Ambassador to Tajikistan Igor Lyakin-Frolov told reporters in Dushanbe on February 20.
According to him, the military preparedness of Tajikistan’s armed forces is high and they are able to repulse any threats or challenges on the border.
“Thanks to Tajik border guards the situation along the border is still calm and no cases of armed penetration into Tajik territory have been registered,” Russian diplomat noted.
According to him, there is information about concentration of Taliban and ISIL militants in northern Afghanistan at the border with Tajikistan and “neighborhood with terrorist organizations is dangerous.”
“There are different data, but about 2,500-3000 ISIL militants can stay in northern regions of Afghanistan. Undoubtedly, neighborhood with terrorist organizations is dangerous, and therefore, there ought to be ready to repulse any challenges and threats,” Ambassador Lyakin-Frolov said.
Many of ISIL militants from Syria are regrouping in Afghanistan, Russian diplomat noted.
He also pointed out the role of the Russian military base deployed in Tajikistan in providing regional security and “strengthening sovereignty and territorial integrity of Tajikistan.”
Lyakin-Frolov further noted that the Collective Security Organization (CSTO) is also guarantor of security of Tajikistan as its member nation.
“Therefore, we have double guarantees that we will provide security and stability of Tajikistan both jointly and individually,” Russian diplomat stressed.
