Afghan Chief Executive Rejects Claims About Supplying Arms to IS as 'Baseless' - Reports

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 27th August, 2018) Afghan National Unity Government (NUG) CEO Abdullah Abdullah has rejected claims about "unidentified" helicopters allegedly supplying arms and ammunition to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group (outlawed in Russia) in northern Afghanistan as "baseless," media reported on Monday.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that some "unidentified" helicopters were delivering arms and ammunition to IS militants in northern Afghanistan. The spokeswoman, in particular, noted the absence of any reaction from Afghan authorities or NATO forces to these flights.

According to 1TV broadcaster, Abdullah dismissed these statements, adding that the Afghan people were on the front line of the fight against the IS.

Abdullah noted that the country's security forces were monitoring IS activity in the northern regions and receiving support from NATO forces.

Commenting on the upcoming Moscow format meeting on Afghan settlement, scheduled for September 4, Abdullah said that Kabul welcomed any "honest efforts" by any country to bring peace and stability to the country.

Afghanistan has long been suffering from unstable political, social and security situation due to simmering Taliban insurgency. The violence is exacerbated by the activities of various terrorist groups, including the Islamic State.

Last week, the Afghan government said that it would participate in the Moscow-format consultations on Afghanistan only if the Taliban agreed to direct talks with representatives of the Afghan government on the sidelines of this event.