Taliban Reject Russia’s Claim of Foreign Terrorists in Afghanistan

DID Press: Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban authorities, rejected claims by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation that thousands of fighters from international terrorist organizations are present on Afghan soil, calling the reports “inaccurate” and based on unfounded information.

Mujahid said Afghanistan is “secure” and that no foreign armed groups are operating in the country. He added that Afghanistan’s territory is under unified control, which he said prevents the activity of external groups. Expressing regret over such claims from Russian sources, he noted that similar allegations were made “during the period of U.S. occupation.”

The Taliban spokesman urged Russia to update its assessments based on what he described as “objective realities” on the ground in Afghanistan.

Earlier, Russia’s foreign ministry said on its official website that the number of fighters from international terrorist organizations in Afghanistan is estimated at between 20,000 and 23,000, with more than half of them being foreign nationals.