Russia Claims Over 23,000 Foreign Fighters in Afghanistan

Russia Claims Over 23,000 Foreign Fighters in Afghanistan
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Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu has claimed that more than 23,000 foreign fighters from approximately 20 international militant groups are currently operating in Afghanistan, posing a serious threat to regional and global security, Khaama Press reported. In a newly published article, Shoigu identified the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) as the most concerning group, citing its military bases and training camps across eastern, northern, and northeastern Afghanistan.

Shoigu stated that the Taliban are fighting terrorism “to the best of their abilities,” but their efforts have been limited by Western sanctions and pressure. He further alleged that some foreign fighters have been moved to Afghanistan from other parts of the world, a movement he accused Western intelligence agencies of orchestrating to destabilize areas near Russia, China, and Iran.

On the topic of Western engagement, Shoigu suggested that despite not officially recognizing the Taliban, countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany have shown signs of seeking closer ties with Afghanistan’s de facto rulers. He claimed these nations are also looking for ways to re-establish military influence in the region.

Regarding drug production, Shoigu pointed to a “positive development,” citing a 95% drop in poppy cultivation in 2023. However, he warned that drug trafficking remains a serious problem, particularly with the increased production and use of synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and highly potent synthetic opioids.

These claims come as a recent UN Security Council monitoring report estimated that the Islamic State in Afghanistan has about 2,000 fighters and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan has around 6,000.