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The Diplomat
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Diplomat
Taliban: Russia's ‘Objective Allies' in its Fight Against the Islamic State
On the sidelines of the third round of the U.N.-convened Doha Working Group (commonly known as Doha Process) meetings held in the Qatari capital on June 30 and July 1, Russia's Special Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said that Russia should arm the Taliban against the Islamic State. In this context, he further said that 'in this particular case, they are our objective allies, whom we must support to arm them in every sense of the word, so that they successfully suppress all these smallest hotbeds of international terrorism.' He said that Russia must support the Taliban with weapons in order to help them eliminate the terrorist threat in Afghanistan. Emphasizing the Taliban's role against the Islamic State, he said, 'The Taliban is fighting the Islamic State uncompromisingly and harshly.' Kabulov's remarks demonstrate the shift in Russia's policy toward the Taliban. This policy shift was further affirmed on July 3 when Russia became the first country to recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan. Moscow has accepted the credentials of a new ambassador of Afghanistan as part of a strategic shift in its Taliban policy to build friendly relations with Afghanistan's Taliban regime, which has been the de facto ruler of the country since the withdrawal of U.S. forces in August 2021. Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that 'We believe that the act of official recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in various fields.' Such a bold move from Moscow has not come suddenly. Over the past few months, Russia has been gradually moving toward this end. In December 2024, Russia adopted a law to establish the possibility of delisting any organization from the list of terrorist organizations. In March, Russia's Prosecutor General submitted a petition to the Supreme Court to remove the Taliban from the terrorist designated list. That request was approved in mid-April. Russia's paradigm shift toward the Taliban must be seen from the security perspective, mainly vis-à-vis the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) — an affiliate of the Islamic State, which is active in South and Central Asia, primarily in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and to a certain extent in Pakistan. In March 2024, the Crocus City Hall music venue near Moscow was attacked by four armed terrorists, resulting in over 150 fatalities and more than 100 injuries. The incident marked the deadliest terrorist attack in Russia in the past two decades. Russian President Vladimir Putin called it 'a barbaric terrorist act.' While the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, ISKP proclaimed it also without directly claiming responsibility. ISKP is widely believed to have orchestrated the attack, allegedly carried out by citizens of Tajikistan. Russia is a significant target for the Islamic State, and its affiliates, for several reasons, primarily due to the group's deep animosity toward the country. Many Islamic State jihadists harbor resentment against Russia for its involvement in the invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and the subsequent decade-long occupation. Additionally, Russia's two wars in Chechnya, which occurred in 1994 and 2000, plausibly further fueled anger among jihadists of the Islamic State. Currently, the heightened hostility toward Moscow is likely a result of Russia's active role against the Islamic State in support of the Syrian regime. With the assistance of Russian airpower, the Assad regime was able to recapture the city of Palmyra in 2017, which had been seized by Islamic State forces. Furthermore, Russia has been actively supporting groups in the Sahel to combat terrorist organizations, including Islamic State affiliates in the region. Despite these efforts to mitigate the threat posed by the Islamic State, Russia has not been able to eliminate the danger. Just days before the Crocus City Hall incident, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) stated that it had killed Islamic State militants who were allegedly planning a terrorist attack on a synagogue in Moscow. However, the FSB failed to identify or forestall the Crocus City Hall attack, despite warnings from the United States. There is substantial evidence indicating that ISKP was responsible for the attack. The group maintains an active presence in Afghanistan, and since the Taliban's takeover of Kabul four years ago, its operations have significantly increased. Due to a lack of international cooperation in combating this terrorist organization, the responsibility for fighting ISKP has largely fallen on the Taliban, which views the group as a direct threat to its regime. ISKP has directed much of its hostility toward the Taliban, in turn, prompting the latter to adopt a forceful strategy against it. The Taliban has reportedly succeeded in infiltrating ISKP by targeting its operatives within the country. However, despite these efforts, the Taliban has been unable to prevent the group from attacking other countries, primarily due to its limited counterterrorism capabilities and the various political and economic crises facing Afghanistan since the regime's takeover. Therefore, Russia's support for the Taliban in their fight against ISKP could enhance their capabilities in combating the group. The growing engagement between the Taliban and Russia can be viewed as a practical partnership. Russia seeks allies to aid in its fight against the Islamic State, with Putin labeling the Taliban as 'allies in the fight against terrorism' in July 2024. On the other hand, the Taliban requires support to sustain their regime in Afghanistan while combating their most significant internal threat, ISKP. In addition to collaborating against a common enemy, Russia's recognition of the Taliban government, which could plausibly lead to other countries following suit, serves as a significant diplomatic boost for the regime. Russia was once an adversary of the Taliban, backing the Northern Alliance, which opposed the Taliban from 1996 to 2001. However, the Taliban are notorious for not acting against terrorist groups using Afghan soil to attack other countries. Nonetheless, the threat posed by ISKP to their regime provides the Taliban with a compelling reason to combat this particular terrorist group. Russian support could enhance the Taliban's counterterrorism capabilities. It remains to be seen how and when Russia will begin providing support, including weapons, to the Taliban in their fight against the Islamic State, particularly its affiliate, ISKP.
Epoch Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Russia Offers to Help Taliban Fight ISIS as It Eyes Natural Resources
Russia is offering to help Kabul's de facto Taliban government fight ISIS, as Moscow weighs its opportunities to grow its economic interests in Afghanistan. Zamir Kabulov, the special Russian presidential representative to Afghanistan, announced the possible partnership in an interview with the Russian state-run news agency Kabulov, who previously served as a Russian ambassador to Afghanistan, said ISIS remains a shared enemy. 'We see and appreciate the efforts that the Taliban are making in the fight against the Afghan wing of ISIS,' Kabulov said. 'This group is a common enemy for Russia and Afghanistan, and we will provide all possible assistance to the authorities of this country through specialized structures.' Since the collapse of the U.S.-backed Afghan government in the summer of 2021, the Taliban has worked to solidify its claim to power. Related Stories 10/4/2024 3/30/2025 In the process, Taliban forces have ISIS has also claimed responsibility for attacks within Russia, including the March 2024 attack on the Crocus City Hall in Moscow, in which gunmen fired into crowds of concertgoers and set off incendiary devices, killing 145 and wounding hundreds more. The Kremlin raised allegations of Ukrainian links to the Crocus City Hall attack, but has since stepped up calls for cooperation with Kabul to fight ISIS. Moscow had previously included the Taliban on its terrorist group list, but removed the designation last month, paving the way for even closer cooperation. In an April 17 When asked whether Moscow is prepared to fully recognize the Taliban government in Kabul, Kabulov said, 'Cooperation between Moscow and Kabul continues de facto.' He also said the decision to remove the Taliban from Russia's list of prohibited terror groups removes a final obstacle for a full-scale normalization of relations between Russia and Afghanistan. When asked about opportunities for Russia to expand fuel exports to Afghanistan, Kabulov said this matter and other Afghan–Russian business ties will be a major focus at the Russia–Islamic World Kazan Forum later this month. Russia could also potentially stand to gain from access to Afghanistan's deposits of rare earth metals and other mineral resources. 'There are hydrocarbons, as well as deposits of precious stones and rare earth metals,' Kubalov said. 'However, it is too early to talk about the prospects for developing specific deposits; we should wait for the results of geological surveys. 'We should not forget that lithium mining requires large volumes of water, which is not very abundant in Afghanistan.'
CNA
02-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Russia says it will help Taliban fight Islamic State in Afghanistan
Russia will help the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan fight against the Afghan branch of Islamic State, Moscow's special representative for the country was quoted as saying on Friday (May 2). Zamir Kabulov, a former Russian ambassador to Afghanistan, referred to Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) as the "common enemy" of Moscow and Kabul. "We see and appreciate the efforts that the Taliban are making in the fight against the Afghan wing of ISIS," Kabulov told the RIA state news agency in an interview. "We will provide our best assistance to the authorities of (Afghanistan) through specialised structures." No country currently recognises the Taliban government that seized power in August 2021 as US-led forces staged a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of war. But in a step towards recognition, Russia last month formally removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organisations, to which it had been added in 2003. Kabulov's comments underscore the dramatic rapprochement in recent years between Moscow and Kabul, which President Vladimir Putin said last year was now Russia's "ally" in combating terrorism. Russia has been left reeling from multiple Islamic State-linked attacks, including the shooting of 145 people at a concert hall outside Moscow in March 2024 which was claimed by ISIS. US officials said they had intelligence indicating ISIS-K was responsible. The Taliban says it is working to wipe out the group's presence in Afghanistan. Kabulov said Moscow and Kabul were building up ties in multiple spheres and told RIA that Russia had offered to accredit an Afghan ambassador in Moscow and was waiting for Kabul's response. He said Moscow's suspension of the ban on the Taliban "finally removes all obstacles to full cooperation between our countries in various fields". "The arrival of the Afghan ambassador in Moscow will put a final end to this issue." Russia said last month it aims to strengthen trade, business and investment ties with Kabul, leveraging Afghanistan's strategic position for future energy and infrastructure projects. Kabulov said joint economic projects would be discussed at a Russia-Afghan business forum later this month in the Russian city of Kazan, naming mineral development and gas pipeline projects as possible areas of cooperation.
Business Recorder
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Russia says it will help Taliban fight Islamic State in Afghanistan
Russia will help the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan fight against the Afghan branch of Islamic State, Moscow's special representative for the country was quoted as saying on Friday. Zamir Kabulov, a former Russian ambassador to Afghanistan, referred to Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) as the 'common enemy' of Moscow and Kabul. 'We see and appreciate the efforts that the Taliban are making in the fight against the Afghan wing of ISIS,' Kabulov told the RIA state news agency in an interview. 'We will provide our best assistance to the authorities of (Afghanistan) through specialised structures.' No country currently recognises the Taliban government that seized power in August 2021 as U.S.-led forces staged a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of war. But in a step towards recognition, Russia last month formally removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organisations, to which it had been added in 2003. Kabulov's comments underscore the dramatic rapprochement in recent years between Moscow and Kabul, which President Vladimir Putin said last year was now Russia's 'ally' in combating terrorism. Russia has been left reeling from multiple Islamic State (ISIS)-linked attacks, including the shooting of 145 people at a concert hall outside Moscow in March 2024 which was claimed by ISIS. U.S. officials said they had intelligence indicating ISIS-K was responsible. The Taliban says it is working to wipe out the group's presence in Afghanistan. Kabulov said Moscow and Kabul were building up ties in multiple spheres and told RIA that Russia had offered to accredit an Afghan ambassador in Moscow and was waiting for Kabul's response. He said Moscow's suspension of the ban on the Taliban 'finally removes all obstacles to full cooperation between our countries in various fields'. 'The arrival of the Afghan ambassador in Moscow will put a final end to this issue.' Russia said last month it aims to strengthen trade, business and investment ties with Kabul, leveraging Afghanistan's strategic position for future energy and infrastructure projects. Kabulov said joint economic projects would be discussed at a Russia-Afghan business forum later this month in the Russian city of Kazan, naming mineral development and gas pipeline projects as possible areas of cooperation.
Reuters
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Russia says it will help Taliban fight Islamic State in Afghanistan
May 2 (Reuters) - Russia will help the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan fight against the Afghan branch of Islamic State, Moscow's special representative for the country was quoted as saying on Friday. Zamir Kabulov, a former Russian ambassador to Afghanistan, referred to Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) as the "common enemy" of Moscow and Kabul. "We see and appreciate the efforts that the Taliban are making in the fight against the Afghan wing of ISIS," Kabulov told the RIA state news agency in an interview. "We will provide our best assistance to the authorities of (Afghanistan) through specialised structures." No country currently recognises the Taliban government that seized power in August 2021 as U.S.-led forces staged a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of war. But in a step towards recognition, Russia last month formally removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organisations, to which it had been added in 2003. Kabulov's comments underscore the dramatic rapprochement in recent years between Moscow and Kabul, which President Vladimir Putin said last year was now Russia's "ally" in combating terrorism. Russia has been left reeling from multiple Islamic State (ISIS)-linked attacks, including the shooting of 145 people at a concert hall outside Moscow in March 2024 which was claimed by ISIS. U.S. officials said they had intelligence indicating ISIS-K was responsible. The Taliban says it is working to wipe out the group's presence in Afghanistan. Kabulov said Moscow and Kabul were building up ties in multiple spheres and told RIA that Russia had offered to accredit an Afghan ambassador in Moscow and was waiting for Kabul's response. He said Moscow's suspension of the ban on the Taliban "finally removes all obstacles to full cooperation between our countries in various fields". "The arrival of the Afghan ambassador in Moscow will put a final end to this issue." Russia said last month it aims to strengthen trade, business and investment ties with Kabul, leveraging Afghanistan's strategic position for future energy and infrastructure projects. Kabulov said joint economic projects would be discussed at a Russia-Afghan business forum later this month in the Russian city of Kazan, naming mineral development and gas pipeline projects as possible areas of cooperation.
