The Ministry of Defense says no threat to other countries emanates from Afghan soil, stressing that Islamic Emirate forces are systematically guarding the country’s borders.

The ministry says it will not allow Afghan territory to be used by groups or individuals seeking to threaten other countries.

Sediqullah Nusrat, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, said an independent government is now in power in Afghanistan and that no group or individual inside the country poses a threat to other countries.

“The policy of the Islamic Emirate is clear: there is an independent government in Afghanistan. There is no group in Afghanistan that poses a threat to other countries, and the Islamic Emirate will never allow such individuals to operate in the country,” he said.

Nusrat added that Islamic Emirate forces are systematically deployed along the borders and will not allow any individual or group to create insecurity or carry out destructive activities.

“We assure Afghans and the countries of the region that border forces are systematically performing their duties along the borders, and there is no need for concern,” he said.

The remarks come as some regional countries and the Collective Security Treaty Organization have periodically raised concerns over security along Afghanistan’s borders. The Islamic Emirate’s leadership has previously dismissed such concerns as baseless.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, has said Afghanistan is “undoubtedly” better off five years after the withdrawal of US forces, while acknowledging that the country continues to face significant challenges.

Speaking to RT India journalist Runjhun Sharma, Mujahid said the departure of foreign forces had restored Afghanistan’s independence and placed responsibility for rebuilding the country on Afghans themselves.

Referring to the collapse of the previous government and the US withdrawal in August 2021, Mujahid said Kabul wants to establish normal diplomatic relations with Washington, including the reopening of the US Embassy in Afghanistan and the establishment of an Afghan diplomatic mission in the United States.

He also called for the lifting of sanctions against Afghanistan and the release of the country’s frozen assets, arguing that such measures could contribute to improved relations between Kabul and Western countries.

Mujahid described Russia as an important regional partner and said the Islamic Emirate is seeking to expand cooperation with Moscow in areas including trade, reconstruction, fuel and energy.

The Islamic Emirate spokesman also said Kabul would not alter its domestic policies in exchange for international recognition.

Addressing restrictions on women and girls, Mujahid said Afghanistan has its own religious beliefs, national interests and laws, which he argued should be respected.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said Moscow was “absolutely sincere” in supporting the United States after the September 11, 2001, attacks, but claimed Washington ultimately chose to remain in Afghanistan rather than achieve its stated objective of eliminating terrorism.

Speaking to Russia’s RBC television channel in Moscow on August 28, Lavrov said Russian President Vladimir Putin was the first foreign leader to call then-US President George W. Bush following the attacks and offer Moscow’s support and assistance.

Lavrov said the UN Security Council adopted a resolution days after the attacks that provided the basis for the US-led operation in Afghanistan, with the stated aims of combating terrorism and helping Afghans return to normal life.

He said an international coalition was subsequently formed under the resolution and that Russia was prepared to cooperate with the United States in various ways.

“Instead of eliminating terrorism, the Americans simply decided to stay in Afghanistan,” Lavrov said, referring to the continued US military presence in the country until its withdrawal in 2021.

Lavrov said Moscow’s initial solidarity with Washington was also shaped by Russia’s own experience with terrorism, particularly in the Caucasus.

He further claimed that Britain and several other Western countries had actively supported terrorism in the region, arguing that Russia therefore had a strong understanding of the threat posed by international terrorism at the time.