Taliban and Islamic State (IS) terror group militants are expected to intensify activities along the Afghan-Tajik border in spring, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Secretary-General Yuri Khachaturov noted while delivering a statement in Belgrade at an international youth forum titled “Topical Issues of Eurasian Security under the aegis of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).”
According to him, some 7000 militants have been amassed in northern Afghanistan. The CSTO member nations ought to be ready to address the threat of invasion by militants from Afghan territory, CSTO secretary-general noted.
“Large groups of Taliban are being amassed in northern Afghanistan. Besides, IS militants have already appeared. About 7,000 militants have been amassed in northern Afghanistan. It is very serious,” Khachaturov said, according to Afghanistan.ru.
The CSTO secretary-general reportedly further noted that there ought to be ready to repulse the possible attacks of militants in border areas of Tajikistan.
The Belgrade forum that kicked off on October 18 and runs through October 21 reportedly brought together about 70 students from Belarusian State University, Yerevan State University, Moscow State Institute of International Relations of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, St Petersburg State University, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, St Petersburg State University of Economics, Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Astana), Moscow State Linguistic University, Nizhny Novgorod State Linguistic University, Academy of Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, Russian-Tajik Slavonic University, and other higher education institutions located in the CSTO member states. Serbia is represented by the University of Belgrade, Academy for National Security, and Military Academy. Some high-profile officials are taking part in the forum.
The forum's program includes a plenary session and sections dedicated to military and political stability, education, counter-terrorism, and fight against illicit drug trafficking. Other highlights will be futsal, basketball, and chess competitions.
