In a surprising turn of events, Russia has officially recognized the Taliban as an ally in its fight against terrorism, according to Dmitry Zhirnov, Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan.
Certainly Our Allies
This alignment marks a significant shift in global alliances, given that the Taliban is designated a terrorist organization by the United Nations and is subject to international sanctions, according to URA.
In an interview with TASS, Zhirnov emphasized that the Taliban are actively working to eradicate terrorist cells within their territory.
"The Taliban are certainly our allies in the fight against terrorism," he stated, highlighting their efforts to combat ISIS (Islamic State) and manage detained members of the group at the Pul-e-Charkhi prison on the outskirts of Kabul.
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Considering Support
This partnership comes amidst Russia's ongoing process to potentially remove the Taliban from its list of banned organizations.
Zamir Kabulov, Russia's special representative for Afghanistan, revealed that the country is considering supporting Afghanistan's accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) once this process is complete. The SCO is a significant regional alliance focused on political, economic, and security-related cooperation.
The Taliban's involvement in counterterrorism efforts and their collaboration with Russia underscores the shifting dynamics in international relations and counterterrorism strategies.
While the Taliban remains a controversial entity globally, their role in regional security and their cooperation with Russia could reshape how international communities approach the fight against terrorism.
