CSTO Member States to begin sending Weapons to Afghanistan Border

Khaama Press

May 22, 2025

CSTO countries will start delivering weapons and military equipment to strengthen the Afghanistan border, enhancing regional security and response.

Imangali Tasmagambetov, Secretary-General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), announced at the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly that the dispatch of weapons and military equipment to strengthen Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan will begin soon. This plan aims to counter security threats stemming from Afghanistan and reduce border vulnerabilities.

The program, approved in 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan, is set to be officially implemented in three phases starting in 2026. CSTO member states—including Russia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and Belarus—will prepare to respond rapidly to cross-border threats originating from Afghanistan, enhancing regional security cooperation.

The plan includes bolstering military infrastructure in southern Tajikistan and increasing the rapid response capabilities of CSTO forces. Concerns have escalated in the region due to the presence of terrorist groups such as ISIS and the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, especially following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

Tajikistan, which shares over 1,400 kilometers of border with Afghanistan, has repeatedly warned of extremist infiltration risks. Several Central Asian countries have conducted joint military drills near the Afghan border to enhance readiness and cooperation against growing threats from over 20 active terrorist organizations within Afghanistan.

While the Taliban administration of Afghanistan claims it does not permit foreign militant groups to operate from its territory, regional reports highlight escalating insecurity and drug trafficking, increasing concerns among neighboring states.

Experts view the CSTO initiative as a strategic move to establish a “security belt” around Afghanistan, a concept previously proposed by Tajikistan’s president. This security framework seeks to stabilize the region amid persistent instability and transnational threats.

The CSTO’s efforts to fortify borders reflect a broader regional push to mitigate risks stemming from Afghanistan’s ongoing turmoil. With international actors focusing on counterterrorism and border security, the success of such measures will depend on sustained cooperation and political will among Central Asian nations and global partners.

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