Russia warns threats from Islamic State and al Qaeda are rising
Russia warned on Wednesday that threats from international militant and extremist groups, particularly Islamic State and al Qaeda, are increasing across the region.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the risk of weapons and ammunition spreading from conflict zones into the hands of militant groups was also growing, raising concerns for neighboring countries.
She made the remarks while recalling the deadly Crocus City Hall attack near Moscow two years ago and confirmed that four Tajik nationals convicted over the assault had been sentenced to life in prison.
Zakharova said Moscow supports stronger international counterterrorism coordination under the United Nations and wants to deepen security cooperation with partners in regional blocs including the CSTO, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
She also blamed what she called Western intervention in countries such as Iraq, Libya, Syria and Afghanistan for fueling the rise of militancy and weakening global counterterrorism efforts.
The warning comes as insecurity in Afghanistan remains a major regional concern, with militant threats, border tensions and political isolation continuing to shape the country’s fragile security environment.
At the same time, Pakistan and the Taliban have been engaged in escalating clashes, with Islamabad accusing Afghanistan territory of sheltering Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan fighters, a claim the Taliban deny. Pakistan has also carried out cross-border strikes, while Kabul says Islamabad is using Afghanistan to deflect from its own security failures.
The growing tensions have raised fears that Afghanistan could again become a wider arena for regional militancy, proxy confrontation and cross-border instability.
Russia’s latest warning underscores how Afghanistan’s unresolved security challenges continue to affect not only its own people, but also the broader region.
The post Russia warns threats from Islamic State and al Qaeda are rising appeared first on Khaama Press.