[HIGHLIGHTS] Afghanistan.. Taliban government rejects Russian allegation of armed groups threatening Central Asian security

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban-led Afghan government, denied Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's remarks about the presence of armed groups in Afghanistan. He said Moscow should realize that the "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan" led by the Taliban helped to control security, eliminated the Islamic State.

Since the Taliban returned to power in mid-August 2021, they have carried out several rocket attacks targeting Tajikistan and Uzbekistan from Afghan territory, for which ISIS claimed responsibility.