Russian military bases in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan raise combat readiness over Taliban threat

AKIPRESS.COM - The Russian Defense Ministry is adopting measures to counter the attempts to spread terrorist activities from Afghanistan to the Central Asian region, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Defense Ministers in Dushanbe. Combat readiness of the military bases in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan is raised, assistance is provided to the partners in Central Asia, Minister Shoigu said.
Russia traces active relocation of Islamic State militants to the territory of Afghanistan, he added.
"We see active relocation from different regions, Syria and Lybia among then, of IS groups. In case of threats to our allies, Collective Security Treaty Organization members, Russia will react of course," Minister Sergei Shoigu stated.
The Russian base will provide military assistance to Tajikistan in case of emergence of threat from Afghanistan, Shoigu said.
Armed forces of Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will hold military exercises in Central Asia to practice in liquidation of militants. The drill will be held 20 km away from the border with Afghanistan.
The mission of the US and NATO failed in Afghanistan, Minister Sergei Shoigu said. The security situation escalated in Afghanistan amid withdrawal of US troops. Taliban captured the most part of territory of Afghanistan.