Kabul : Reaffirming its support to Afghanistan in peace talks with the Taliban, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said the loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group are as active in the country.
“The ISIS-controlled branch in Afghanistan is as active as ever as it is seeking to spread its influence to the bordering states of Central Asia and the north of Afghanistan,” the Khaama Press quoted Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson as saying.
There are concerns surrounding that the loyalists of the militant group would attempt to expand activities and foothold across Afghanistan and into Central Asia.
Stating that Taliban movement continues to fight in some regions of the country, she pointed that the most complicated situation was in the southern province of Helmand, where extremists have already seized four districts and in three other districts there are ongoing armed clashes with government forces.
Regarding the peace efforts by the Afghan government with the anti-government armed militant groups, Zakharova said “Remember that earlier efforts by the Quadrilateral Coordination Group made up of the representatives of Afghanistan, Pakistan, the US and China to convince the Taliban to make peace has, regretfully, proved fruitless.”
She reaffirmed Russia’s support towards the Afghan peace efforts.
“Russia is ready to help facilitate the negotiating process and take, among other things, a flexible approach toward the possible easing of sanctions against the Taliban unless this will be in conflict with the national interests of Afghanistan.”(ANI)