Tajikistan Denies Talks with Russia to Deploy Troops at Afghan Border
Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry has denied reports suggesting it had requested military assistance from Russia to secure its border with Afghanistan, emphasizing that no such discussions have taken place with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
In an official statement released on Wednesday, the ministry said, “The situation along the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan is stable and fully under the control of the relevant authorities of the Republic of Tajikistan.”
The statement comes in response to recent attacks launched from Afghan territory toward Tajikistan, which resulted in the deaths of five Chinese workers. The details surrounding the incidents remain unclear, and as of yet, neither Taliban authorities nor Tajik officials have disclosed any information regarding the identity of the assailants.
Tajikistan has described the attackers as members of a terrorist group. On the other hand, Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister of the Taliban administration, blamed the attacks on unnamed “elements” that he claims seek to destabilize the region. The Taliban’s vague stance and lack of transparency on the matter have raised concerns across the region.
The border area between Afghanistan and Tajikistan has been considered a sensitive zone, especially since the Taliban’s return to power. Central Asian nations view the security of this region as strategically important. Past incidents have also fueled worries about the infiltration of extremist and terrorist groups from Afghan territory.
