https://sputnikglobe.com/20210709/taliban-claims-to-have-seized-key-border-crossing-with-iran-1083344119.html
As Taliban 'Seizes' Key Crossing With Iran, Moscow Says Group Controls 2/3 of Afghan-Tajik Border
As Taliban 'Seizes' Key Crossing With Iran, Moscow Says Group Controls 2/3 of Afghan-Tajik Border
Sputnik International
Earlier, Taliban militants raised their flag on the bridge across the border River Panj, which separates Tajikistan and Afghanistan. 09.07.2021, Sputnik International
2021-07-09T05:50+0000
2021-07-09T05:50+0000
2021-07-09T09:02+0000
asia
world
newsfeed
middle east
taliban
iran
militants
bridge
afghanistan
https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107977/42/1079774228_0:152:3072:1890_1920x0_80_0_0_b91ad7346ae05b3f1ed23b5fceeb4945.jpg
A Taliban* spokesman said that the terrorist group had captured Afghanistan's biggest trade crossing with Iran.The Taliban's claim could not be verified as there has been no confirmation of the border crossing's fall from the Afghanistan government.Islam Qala is one of the country's main ports of entry; Kabul uses it to trade with Iran.Earlier, US President Joe Biden said that a complete US withdrawal of US service members from Afghanistan will conclude on 31 August. Biden also said that the Taliban is unlikely to be able to seize control of the country after US servicemen depart.Afghanistan is torn in a confrontation between government forces and the Taliban, who have seized significant territories in rural areas and launched an offensive against large cities. Tensions have flared up as the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country is nearing its end.Taliban Controls Two-Thirds of Afghan-Tajik Border, Russian Foreign Ministry SaysThe Taliban controls two-thirds of the Afghan-Tajik border, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.Russia and its CSTO security bloc allies will act decisively to prevent aggression and provocations on Afghan-Tajik border, the spokeswoman added.The Russian military base in Tajikistan has everything necessary to assist Dushanbe in controlling the situation on the border with Afghanistan, the spokeswoman added.In recent days, thousands of Afghan government soldiers have fled to neighbouring Tajikistan, escaping from the Taliban, which took over 70% of the Afghan-Tajik border under its control. Uzbekistan, which shares a border with Afghanistan, has refused to accept Afghan soldiers trying to cross borders.The departure of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan, scheduled to be completed by 11 September, has been met with a surge in violence, with dozens of districts in Afghanistan's rural north falling to the Taliban movement in the past weeks.*The Taliban is a terrorist organisation banned in Russia.
iran
afghanistan
Sputnik International
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
2021
News
en_EN
Sputnik International
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Sputnik International
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
newsfeed, middle east, taliban, iran, militants, bridge, afghanistan
newsfeed, middle east, taliban, iran, militants, bridge, afghanistan
As Taliban 'Seizes' Key Crossing With Iran, Moscow Says Group Controls 2/3 of Afghan-Tajik Border
05:50 GMT 09.07.2021 (Updated: 09:02 GMT 09.07.2021) Earlier, Taliban militants raised their flag on the bridge across the border River Panj, which separates Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
A Taliban* spokesman said that the terrorist group had captured Afghanistan's biggest trade crossing with Iran.
"The port of Islam Qala is now under our full control and we will try to put it back in operation today," Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the insurgents said, as quoted by the AFP.
The Taliban's claim could not be verified as there has been no confirmation of the border crossing's fall from the Afghanistan government.
Islam Qala is one of the country's main ports of entry; Kabul uses it to trade with Iran.
Earlier, US President Joe Biden said that a complete US withdrawal of US service members from Afghanistan will conclude on 31 August. Biden also said that the Taliban is unlikely to be able to seize control of the country after US servicemen depart.
Afghanistan is torn in a confrontation between
government forces and the Taliban, who have seized significant territories in rural areas and launched an offensive against large cities. Tensions have flared up as the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country is nearing its end.
Taliban Controls Two-Thirds of Afghan-Tajik Border, Russian Foreign Ministry Says
The Taliban controls two-thirds of the Afghan-Tajik border, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
"We note a sharp increase in tension on the Afghan-Tajik border. The Taliban movement quickly occupied most of the border districts and currently controls about two-thirds of the border with Tajikistan," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
Russia and its CSTO security bloc allies will act decisively to prevent aggression and provocations on Afghan-Tajik border, the spokeswoman added.
"The growing tension near the southern borders of our CSTO ally cannot but cause concern. Moscow and Dushanbe are conducting intensive working contacts through the defense departments, border services and diplomatic channels … If necessary, additional measures will be taken with all determination in the spirit of the Russian-Tajik alliance to prevent aggression or territorial provocations," Zakharova said during a briefing.
The Russian military base in Tajikistan has everything necessary to assist Dushanbe in controlling the situation on the border with Afghanistan, the spokeswoman added.
In recent days, thousands of Afghan government soldiers have fled to neighbouring Tajikistan, escaping from the Taliban, which took over 70% of the Afghan-Tajik border under its control. Uzbekistan, which shares a border with Afghanistan, has refused to accept Afghan soldiers trying to cross borders.
The departure of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan, scheduled to be completed by 11 September, has been met with a surge in violence, with dozens of districts in Afghanistan's rural north falling to the Taliban movement in the past weeks.
*The Taliban is a terrorist organisation banned in Russia.
