US fuelling instability in Afghanistan, says Russia

KABUL and the infiltration of Islamic State (Daesh) fighters into the country.

The Russian Security Council secretary leveled the allegation against the US in his address to participants of the second session of the Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan in Tehran.

According to Mehr News Agency, Nikolai Patrushev claimed having concrete evidence of America’s involvement in transferring Daesh terrorists to Afghanistan.

Up to 4000 Islamic State militants were currently present in Afghanistan, the Russian official said, alleging terrorists in the country earned $600 million annually by producing and selling illegal drugs.

Patrushev insisted instability had mounted in Afghanistan, where innocent civilians continued to be killed, despite the 18 years of US presence there.

He believed Washington was in no mood to draw down its forces from Afghanistan. Rifts among Americans had created confusion on the issue, he said.

Top security advisers from Russia, China, India, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are attending the event in Tehran.

The first Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan took place in Tehran in October 2018. This year, the format has been extended to include Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

PAN Monitor/mud