The Central Asian strategic direction has always been one of the most important for USSR and Russian Federation, and the events of recent years have increased its importance many times. Security in this area is one of the main goals of Russia and its partner countries in the CSTO for the attainment of which in recent years, being increasingly active work.
Requires special attention to the situation on the Tajik-Afghan border, which is the common boundary of the CSTO countries on the way of the terrorist threat from the Middle East. This topic has become one of the main topics addressed by the forthcoming session of the collective security Treaty organisation, held on 21 December 2015 in Moscow. After the meeting, Alexander Sternik, Director of the third Department of CIS countries of the Russian foreign Ministry said that Russian and Tajik military is ready to act together. He also announced the restructuring of the Russian military base No. 201 in the territory of Tajikistan, significantly increasing its combat capability.
Another important meeting took place on 28 January 2016 in Yerevan between the Secretary-General of the CSTO Nikolay Bordyuzha and Serzh Sargsyan, President of Armenia, which is now chairing the CSTO. Following the meeting it was stated that one of the main tasks of the organization will be the fight against terrorism, and therefore in 2016 the participating countries will continue joint military exercises. Given the strategic importance of the Tajik-Afghan border, primarily we are talking about the exercises on the territory of Tajikistan.
Since 2005 Tajikistan has guarded its own borders, so other Russian military, in addition to serving on the basis of the number 201, is not there now and is not expected. However, given the significant increase in terrorist threats from neighboring Afghanistan, have occurred in recent years, the country needs to be ready for rapid joint action. To fulfill these actions, in March 2016 in Tajikistan, held joint military exercises aimed at improving cooperation between the armies of Russia and Tajikistan in various combat situations. These teachings were an important step towards full operational compatibility of armies of Russia and Tajikistan, which showed that can provide security in the Central Asian strategic direction. The participants also noted that they are exclusively defensive orientation, their results will influence future plans for ensuring security in Central Asian region.
It should be further noted the meeting of representatives of the Ministry of foreign Affairs of Russia and Tajikistan, held on 6 April in Dushanbe. The main theme of the talks was, again, countering the terrorist threat. Both sides declared the intention to continue active fight against terrorism, and the recognition of the Central role in this struggle for the UN Security Council. It was also decided to develop cooperation in the sphere of security on the basis of such organizations as UN, OSCE, CSTO, CIS, SCO.
The next notable event were the teachings of the “Search-2016” held in Tajikistan from 18 to 22 April 2016 participated In the military has all of the CSTO countries: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, only about 1.5 thousand soldiers. Intelligence units all of these countries gathered to hone their skills in unfamiliar terrain. Also, the exercise involved aircraft. In parallel with military exercises and conducted political negotiations.
The reason for such careful attention in the last period to Tajikistan from Russia and countries-partners in the CSTO is due to the fact that the situation on the southern borders of this country is alarming. Now, when the snow melts and mountain passes are passable again, Tajik border guards prepare for possible attacks. In Afghanistan is much stronger terrorist groups like the Taliban and DAISH. The Afghan government, as can be seen, to restore order on its territory will not soon: his strength barely enough to hold on to power. After the withdrawal of foreign troops, illegal armed groups feel in Afghanistan more than comfortable. The Taliban, for example, now has around 50 thousand followers. In the summer of 2015, the Taliban are firmly entrenched in Kunduz province, which borders Tajikistan. There are reports that the stretch of the Tajik-Afghan border with a length of about 50 km from the Afghan side is in their hands. Residents of border areas of Tajikistan argue that the Afghan side constantly hear the sounds of gunfire. Many experts, both Russian and foreign, believe that, having won a number of victories in Kunduz, the Taliban will want this summer to further expand its zone of influence. There is another view – that Tajikistan is unlikely in danger from the Taliban, because this movement is poorly interested in the Affairs outside of Afghanistan. However, of course, too much to expect it not to be. In addition, we must not forget that there are still terrorist organization of Daesh, which, unlike the Taliban, wants to spread its influence throughout Central Asia.
So, April 1, 2016, the Ministry of internal Affairs of Tajikistan reported the detention of two of its citizens. According to the interior Ministry, they were fighting in Syria on the side of the DAIS and was planning to commit a terrorist act on the territory of Tajikistan in Kurgan-tube. This is another major problem of the countries of Central Asia and Kazakhstan – the clandestine activities of agents of terrorist groups on their own territory and the spread of radical ideology, which requires a separate solution. In any case, the actions of Russia, Tajikistan and other CSTO member States for the development of joint actions to protect the border with Afghanistan in a more than timely.
