Russian spy chief warns ISIS-K recruiting in Central Asia

ISIS-K is actively recruiting fighters from Central Asian countries while security threats linked to Afghanistan continue to expand across the region. Alexander Bortnikov said Islamic State Khorasan Province is actively recruiting citizens from Central Asia and building covert terrorist networks in the region. Russian state news agency TASS reported Tuesday that Bortnikov made the remarks during a meeting of intelligence and security chiefs from Commonwealth of Independent States countries. According to Bortnikov, Russian security services, working with authorities in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, disrupted several planned ISIS-linked attacks in Russia, including in Moscow. Bortnikov also claimed that ISIS-K, affiliated jihadist groups and anti-Taliban armed factions are attempting to weaken the Taliban with support from British intelligence services. He said Russia is continuing counterterrorism cooperation with the Taliban as part of broader efforts to stabilize Afghanistan and normalize relations between Kabul and Islamabad. The Russian official added that regional security is directly tied to developments in Afghanistan and Pakistan, warning that instability in both countries threatens Central Asia and Russia. Russia has repeatedly voiced concerns about security threats emerging from Afghanistan despite expanding political and security contacts with the Taliban in recent years. Although the Taliban claim they have improved security, ISIS-K continues to carry out attacks in Afghanistan and has claimed responsibility for several deadly operations in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran. China and Russia have repeatedly warned about the risk of extremist groups using Afghanistan territory to threaten regional stability. Officials from both countries say the Taliban have not fully addressed these security concerns. Afghanistan also remains in a deep humanitarian and economic crisis. The United Nations says millions of Afghans require urgent humanitarian assistance, while worsening poverty and unemployment could increase vulnerability to extremist recruitment. The post Russian spy chief warns ISIS-K recruiting in Central Asia appeared first on Khaama Press.