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Russian Ambassador Warns Of Afghan Problems Spilling Across Border


Former Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta (left) meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov in Kabul in 2007.
Former Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta (left) meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov in Kabul in 2007.

Russia's special envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, has warned of "Islamists" in Afghanistan concentrating along the Tajik and Turkmen borders.

In an interview with Russia's Interfax news agency, Kabulov claimed there are currently 4,000 to 5,000 militants massed in areas of northern Afghanistan near the border with Tajikistan and some 2,500 near the border with Turkmenistan.

Kabulov also said there are at least three militant training camps operating that are running two-month training courses for recruits.

Kabulov said each camp can train 50 recruits, "which is 150 militants every two months."

Kabulov said these recruits are coming from Central Asia.

Kabulov said the governments in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are aware of this situation in northern Afghanistan.

Afghan and foreign media have been reporting increasing unrest in northern Afghan provinces throughout this year including the presence of militants from Central Asia.

Based on reporting by Interfax

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