CSTO holds off Taliban attack in training exercise

By Vestnik Kavkaza

Today the Collective Forces of Rapid Reaction (CFRR) of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have held off a maneuver attack by terrorists from Afghan territory. According to the plan of the training exercise, 600 militants penetrated the territory of Tajikistan; and a mobility intelligence unit of CFRR, Tajik and Russian troopers were involved in their liquidation.

Valery Semerikov, Deputy Secretary General, explained the choice of the training plan by the fact that “the whole situation in Afghanistan causes us deep concern. It has been discussed by our leaders, presidents, heads of state, at various meetings. We have an organization, a special working group, that consists of plenipotentiary representatives. They examine, control the situation, as well as work out a set of measures and activities which can prevent the situation developing in a bad way. Nevertheless, we had to carry out a series of military actions. 80% of the territory of Badakhshan was captured by the Talibs, where hostilities are taking place. In addition, many members of the Taliban support Islamic State, which destabilizes the whole situation, both in this region and in the zone of responsibility of our organization.”

Semerikov stresses that the CSTO has plans for the rapid deployment of not only the Collective Forces of Rapid Reaction, “but the whole of our forces and equipment in different areas, different regions of our sphere of ​​responsibility, including on the territory of Tajikistan. Certainly, the decision was made in relation to the implementation of the transfer of forces and equipment in this direction and holding a series of activities. So if you have to deal with problems in this sphere, you would be better using our Collective Forces of Rapid Reaction.”

Meanwhile, today it has been reported that Russia is stopping transit of military vehicles and weapons to Afghanistan. The order was signed by Premier Dmitry Medvedev, due to the end of the operation of the 1389 Resolution of the UN Security Council of 2001.

The Foreign Ministry “should inform governments of foreign states and international organizations about cancellation of the land and combined transit of weapons, military vehicles, and military property through the territory of Russia to the International Forces for Security Support in Afghanistan and back.”