Russia: Terrorist threats persisted in 2021
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov stated that terrorist threats are still present and the security situation in some areas is severe.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov said that the security situation in 2021 remained complex, with terrorist threats persisting in several countries, including Syria, in an interview for Sputnik.
"The situation in counterterrorism remains very tense... A difficult state of affairs remains in Syria and Iraq, where the main destabilizing factors are the fact radical groups still hold ground in the Idlib de-escalation zone and the presence of ISIS and Al-Qaeda sleeper cells,” Syromolotov said.
Despite that, according to Syromolotov, the Russian and Syrian military were able to drastically reduce ISIS terrorists' capabilities in 2021.
The official also stated that the security situation in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, remained severe.
Russia faces terrorist threats
In the interview for Sputnik, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov said ISIS and Al-Qaeda cells that have settled in Afghanistan pose a terrorist threat to Russia and Central Asian countries.
"We are closely following the development of the situation in Afghanistan, where there is a high degree of terrorist threats emanating from supporters of ISIS and Al-Qaeda who have settled there, including for our country and the countries of Central Asia," Syromolotov said.
The security situation in Afghanistan did not swiftly worsen after the Taliban (who are under UN terrorism sanctions) took power, according to the Russian diplomat.
Terrorism and drug trafficking are still a threat in Afghanistan, according to Syromolotov.