Belarusian defense minister warns Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions could fuel extremism in CSTO states

Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin has warned that the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan could trigger a humanitarian crisis and create conditions for the spread of extremist ideologies and terrorist groups into member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

Speaking at a meeting of the CSTO Defence Ministers Council in Moscow, Khrenin said the security situation within the organization’s area of responsibility had not improved since last year, citing emerging threats in Central Asia and developments in Iran.

Khrenin called on CSTO countries to increase participation in joint military training activities and expand cooperation with other states and organizations that share the bloc’s security principles.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is a Russia-led military alliance established in 2002 that brings together Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Armenia.

Regional countries including Russia have repeatedly raised concerns about security threat from Afghanistan.

The Islamic Emirate, however, has dismissed the concern reiterating that it will not allow Afghanistan’s soil to be used against other countries.