Sergey Vershinin, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, has expressed concerns about "terrorism in Afghanistan”.

On Tuesday, at a BRICS counter-terrorism working group meeting in Moscow, he stated that terrorism in Afghanistan and the Middle East is a global concern.

In his speech, published on Tuesday on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website, Vershinin emphasised on the need to suppress terrorist groups.

The Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia highlighted that terrorism in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and northern Syria requires close monitoring to effectively address emerging challenges.

He referred to a report by the UN Security Council's Sanctions Monitoring Team about "ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and the Taliban" to justify his remarks.

The Monitoring Team reported in July that terrorist groups still consider Afghanistan a safe haven and that the Taliban's leniency towards these groups creates conditions for terrorism to spread to neighbouring countries.

The report stated that the Taliban's inability to act decisively has revitalised Al-Qaeda and ISIS. According to the report, Al-Qaeda has quietly reestablished its bases and offices in five provinces, including Kabul and Nangarhar.

The report indicated that Al-Qaeda has utilised Afghanistan to reorganise, recruit, and set up a network of training camps and safe houses in at least five provinces. It also noted that this expansion has resulted in a growing influx of Al-Qaeda fighters from abroad into Afghanistan.

At the BRICS counter-terrorism working group meeting in Moscow, Vershinin warned that terrorist groups are not only seeking to strengthen their influence in conflict areas, but are also aiming to establish a solid base for controlling other regions.