The Daesh terror group has picked Northern Afghanistan as the new centre of its so-called caliphate, first deputy director of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), General Sergei Smirnov, told reporters on Friday following a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (SCO RATS) council.
"Given the losses incurred in Syria and Iraq, ISIS [Daesh in Arabic] is forced to look for ways to create new support centers for the 'caliphate'. Strengthening ISIS in northern Afghanistan may pose a major threat to regional security in the near future," he said.
READ MORE: US Envoy Says Daesh Down to Few Hundred Fighters Amid Fight in Baghouz
The general also stated that Daesh terrorists have significantly strengthened their positions in Northern Afghanistan and incidents on the country's border have intensified, according to Russia's FSB.
"Terrorist groups have significantly stepped up sabotage and terrorist activities and strengthened their positions in the northern areas of Afghanistan. Armed incidents on the border have become more frequent," Gen. Smirnov said.
Prior to that, on 4 March, Al Jazeera reported that some 150 terrorists surrendered to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). At the same time, the SDF is continuing its operation to clear the last pockets of Daesh militants in the area of Baghouz.
In February, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) began its final assault to clear out the village of Baghuz, which, according to them, is the last Daesh stronghold in Syria.
*Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist group banned in Russia
