Russian army prepares for war in Central Asia
On June 24, unscheduled exercises began in the Central Military District (CVO), which will last until June 28. Not only this district, but also part of the troops of the Southern and Eastern districts, as well as units of the airborne forces and aviation, were put on alert. One of the main goals of the maneuvers will be to assess the ability of the Russian Armed Forces to counter the growing terrorist threat emanating from countries of the Central Asian region.
The military and political leadership of Russia has good reason to consider recent events in Central Asia as a serious threat to the security of our country.
Everyone is encouraged by the successes of the Russian air forces and other military branches in the fight against radical Islamists in Syria. The government forces of this country with the support of the Russian Federation took control of most of the state. Of course, it is too early to talk about a complete victory over the Islamic State and other illegal armed groups. But it is safe to say that today the militants in Syria are not as comfortable as before. In Iraq, they also experience some inconvenience.
Therefore, it is no secret that the IG plans to focus on other countries. The most suitable place for this is Afghanistan and the states of Central Asia. Do not forget that since 2017, Islamists are beginning to intensify in the south of Russia and in the Central Asian countries.
It is no longer a secret that the gradual transfer of IS fighters from Syria and Iraq to Afghanistan is now underway. According to the FSB, the northern center of Afghanistan, not far from the borders of the former Soviet republics of Central Asia, could become the new center for the radicalization of the Islamic State. By the way, the influence of IS in these countries, as in the North Caucasus region of Russia, is quite large. Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that in the SCO countries there are already underground IS cells that are waiting in the wings.
Actually, the most suitable conditions have now been formed for the deployment of IS activities in Afghanistan. Surviving militants from Syria and Iraq are increasingly appearing in this country, and supporters of the "caliphate" from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and other states are actively replenishing their ranks. Here, they are confronted only by the Americans and the Taliban, who are busy fighting each other. Although the Taliban are considered enemies of the Islamic State, they themselves are a radical organization banned in many countries of the world.
The United States and NATO headed for the withdrawal of their troops from Afghanistan. In addition, today their attention is focused on Iran, whose relations with Western countries are increasingly tense.
All this suggests that few radical Islamists will actively interfere with their establishment in Afghanistan and spread their influence to other countries.
Despite its geographical remoteness, it is unlikely that Russia will be able to stay away from a possible conflict with the growing “caliphate” in Central Asia. We should not forget that among the IS fighters in Syria were thousands of citizens of the Russian Federation and the Central Asian republics. They will surely strive to realize the ideas of the “caliphate” in their native regions.
If the IS begins to strengthen in Afghanistan and Central Asia, and everything goes to that, then this will become a direct threat to Russia's security.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the exercises held in the Central Military District are devoted to working out the protection of state and military facilities, the destruction of illegal armed groups, the organization of air defense, and the prevention of terrorist attacks.
In addition, lately more attention has been paid to military cooperation between Russia and countries that are also threatened by this new danger. For example, Russia and Kazakhstan regularly conduct exercises, practicing the interaction of the two countries' rapid reaction forces to neutralize terrorist threats.
Radical Islamists change residence
The military and political leadership of Russia has good reason to consider recent events in Central Asia as a serious threat to the security of our country.
Everyone is encouraged by the successes of the Russian air forces and other military branches in the fight against radical Islamists in Syria. The government forces of this country with the support of the Russian Federation took control of most of the state. Of course, it is too early to talk about a complete victory over the Islamic State and other illegal armed groups. But it is safe to say that today the militants in Syria are not as comfortable as before. In Iraq, they also experience some inconvenience.
Therefore, it is no secret that the IG plans to focus on other countries. The most suitable place for this is Afghanistan and the states of Central Asia. Do not forget that since 2017, Islamists are beginning to intensify in the south of Russia and in the Central Asian countries.
New hotbed of tension in Central Asia
It is no longer a secret that the gradual transfer of IS fighters from Syria and Iraq to Afghanistan is now underway. According to the FSB, the northern center of Afghanistan, not far from the borders of the former Soviet republics of Central Asia, could become the new center for the radicalization of the Islamic State. By the way, the influence of IS in these countries, as in the North Caucasus region of Russia, is quite large. Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that in the SCO countries there are already underground IS cells that are waiting in the wings.
Actually, the most suitable conditions have now been formed for the deployment of IS activities in Afghanistan. Surviving militants from Syria and Iraq are increasingly appearing in this country, and supporters of the "caliphate" from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and other states are actively replenishing their ranks. Here, they are confronted only by the Americans and the Taliban, who are busy fighting each other. Although the Taliban are considered enemies of the Islamic State, they themselves are a radical organization banned in many countries of the world.
The United States and NATO headed for the withdrawal of their troops from Afghanistan. In addition, today their attention is focused on Iran, whose relations with Western countries are increasingly tense.
All this suggests that few radical Islamists will actively interfere with their establishment in Afghanistan and spread their influence to other countries.
And here is Russia?
Despite its geographical remoteness, it is unlikely that Russia will be able to stay away from a possible conflict with the growing “caliphate” in Central Asia. We should not forget that among the IS fighters in Syria were thousands of citizens of the Russian Federation and the Central Asian republics. They will surely strive to realize the ideas of the “caliphate” in their native regions.
If the IS begins to strengthen in Afghanistan and Central Asia, and everything goes to that, then this will become a direct threat to Russia's security.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the exercises held in the Central Military District are devoted to working out the protection of state and military facilities, the destruction of illegal armed groups, the organization of air defense, and the prevention of terrorist attacks.
In addition, lately more attention has been paid to military cooperation between Russia and countries that are also threatened by this new danger. For example, Russia and Kazakhstan regularly conduct exercises, practicing the interaction of the two countries' rapid reaction forces to neutralize terrorist threats.
Information