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Published: 11:05, July 25, 2021 | Updated: 11:07, July 25, 2021
Russian, Tajik defense chiefs discuss Afghan conflict risks
By Reuters
Published:11:05, July 25, 2021 Updated:11:07, July 25, 2021 By Reuters

In this file photo taken on Aug 23, 2020, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (right) attends the opening ceremony of the 6th International Military Technical Forum 'Army 2020' and Army Games in the military Patriot Park outside Moscow. (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)

MOSCOW - Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Tajik counterpart Sherali Mirzo on Saturday discussed joint measures to counter threats from the Taliban in the Tajik-Afghan border area, the TASS news agency reported.

Russia on Friday pledged to help its ally Tajikistan to build a new outpost on the border, amid a worsening conflict in Afghanistan as US-led troops withdraw after a 20-year intervention. The two countries will also hold major drills next month.

Russia operates a military base in Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic, whose government has expressed concern about the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan

"The parties discussed the situation in the Tajik-Afghan border area and joint measures to neutralize threats related to the escalating situation in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," TASS quoted the Russian ministry as saying following the phone conversation.

ALSO READ: Russia offers help to secure Tajik-Afghan border

Russia operates a military base in Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic, whose government has expressed concern about the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.

Hundreds of Afghan servicemen crossed the border into Tajikistan earlier this month in retreat from an offensive by Taliban insurgents who, taking advantage of the foreign troop pullout, have seized a series of districts and border posts.

Tajikistan later sent back the Afghan servicemen as the Kabul government arranged special flights to return them.

READ MORE: Taliban besiege key Afghan city with US troops set to exit

Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, another Central Asian republic bordering Afghanistan, will hold joint military drills close to the Tajik-Afghan border next month. Moscow has already started delivering new hardware to its Tajik base to reinforce it.


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