The Collective Security Treaty Organisation has launched a new military exercise in southeastern Kazakhstan focused on countering the possible infiltration of armed groups from Afghanistan into Central Asian countries.<\/p>\n
The drill began on 21 September in the Koktaly area of Jetisu province and will continue until 28 September.<\/p>\n
According to Times of Central Asia, the organisation\u2019s rapid reaction forces are practising how to stop militants from penetrating border areas in mountainous and desert terrain. The exercise comes as Russia and Tajikistan have again voiced concern about the activities of armed groups in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov said on 17 September that Moscow was paying particular attention to strengthening the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border. He described the security of the border as one of Russia\u2019s priorities.<\/p>\n
Those concerns intensified after several attacks from Afghan territory late last year. In attacks in November and December 2025, five Chinese citizens and two Tajik border guards were killed, after which Tajikistan asked members of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation to provide more help in protecting its borders.<\/p>\n
As part of this process, CSTO Secretary-General Imangali Tasmagambetov announced on 6 September that the first shipment of equipment and weapons to strengthen Tajikistan\u2019s border with Afghanistan would be sent to the country this autumn.<\/p>\n
The Collective Security Treaty Organisation is a military and security alliance made up of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Armenia. Tajikistan is the only member of the bloc that shares a border with Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
Despite the expansion of contacts between Central Asian countries and the Taliban administration after the group returned to power in August 2021, the activity of armed groups in Afghanistan, especially Islamic State Khorasan Province, remains among the region\u2019s main security concerns. According to Times of Central Asia, the exercise is not aimed at the Taliban administration, but rather at groups such as Islamic State Khorasan Province, which claimed responsibility for the 22 March 2024 attack on Crocus City Hall near Moscow, in which more than 140 people were killed.<\/p>\n
According to UN estimates, around 15,000 to 20,000 fighters linked to nearly 20 armed groups are present in Afghanistan. Russia puts the figure at as many as 23,000. The infiltration of armed groups, drug trafficking and insecurity along the Afghan border remain among the organisation\u2019s key security concerns.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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