KABUL (SW): The Masharano Jirga (upper house) on Tuesday called for probe into reports about Russia backing the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Few days back, reports surfaced in some media outlets that Russia is equipping and supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan. Zamir Kabulov, Special Representative of Russia in Afghanistan-Pakistan had previously acknowledged ties with Taliban.
Fazal Hadi Muslimyar, the speaker of the house, said on the occasion that the Alexander Mantytskiy, Russian Ambassador in Kabul, with the help of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall provide details about relations with the Taliban to a special committee of the house on Saturday.
The senators urged Russian authorities to apologize for their alleged support to the Taliban while waging a ‘proxy war’ against the U.S. in Afghanistan.
Nisar Ahmad Harris, a senator said that though the Russian Ambassador has been called for explanation, but such committees should base their allegations on proper evidence. Mohammad Hassan Hotak, another member of the house said that there is ample amount of evidence available that suggest Russian do have ties with the Taliban.
The speaker underlined that the Russian Ambassador in Kabul has denied all reports about ties with the Taliban in a meeting with him.
It is worth noticing that the provincial governors of Helmand and Kunduz provinces had previously claimed that Russia has equipped the Taliban with modern arms. Both Helmand and Kunduz are witnessing a surge in militancy after the end of NATO-led combat mission.
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