China, Russia, and Iran have confirmed that various terrorist groups, including the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Majeed Brigade, and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), are operating from Afghanistan and pose a grave threat to neighboring countries.
This confirmation came during a quadrilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of these nations, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Following the meeting, the foreign ministers issued a joint statement categorically rejecting claims that the Afghan Taliban provide shelter to any terrorist group, including the TTP. The ministers expressed deep concern over the security situation regarding terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, stating that groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), TTP, Jaish al-Adl, BLA, and the Majeed Brigade are still hiding in Afghanistan and remain a serious threat to regional and global security.
The quartet condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist activities carried out by these groups against neighboring and other countries. They emphasized the need to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation at multiple levels. The joint statement also urged the Taliban government to adhere to its international commitments by ensuring that its territory is not used for terrorism against other countries.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted the need to address both the symptoms and root causes of terrorism, advocating for comprehensive measures to eradicate terrorism as swiftly as possible. The foreign ministers acknowledged the contributions of regional countries, particularly Pakistan and Iran, in hosting millions of Afghan refugees, demonstrating solidarity and support during these challenging times.