Moscow warned that terrorist threats in uncertain areas in the Middle East and Afghanistan remain the main threat to Russia's safety, and speculated that extremist elements may be profiting in the African continent.
Speaking to Ria Novosti news agency on December 29, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov said: "The anti-terrorist situation is still very tense. The environment remains difficult in Syria and Iraq, where major uncertainties are the occupation of the Idlib region and the presence of IS and al-Qaeda elements.
Mr. Syromolotov continued that in Africa, especially in the Sahara-Sahel region, the Russian Foreign Ministry can basically see the prerequisites for the revival of the group of terrorist groups calling themselves the Islamic State of IS version 2.0 there.
Deputy Minister Syromolotov also said that Moscow is closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan - where there are many terrorist threats from IS and al-Qaeda supporters. These people settled there after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan last summer. Mr. Syromolotov warned that this poses a risk to Russia and Central Asian countries.
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan's capital Kabul on August 15, 2021 after capturing much of the country's territory. In that context, Russia has positioned itself as a peace broker in Central Asia, welcoming a Politburo of the Taliban.
After the West rushed to withdraw from Afghanistan, Russia has increased its presence in the region, holding joint drills with former Soviet union states such as Uzbekistan and Tajikistan along the common border.
In July, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the Barkhane Campaign - a French-led military campaign against Hoi giao elements of the Mali - would end in early 2022. In September, Mali Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga said Paris had "abandoned" Africans.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov revealed to RT that the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, has warned him to stay away from Africa. However, Mr. Lavrov affirmed that it is important for Russia and Europe to make efforts to help the Sahel region.
