Russia removes Taliban and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from list of terrorist organisations – ISW
Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has signed a law allowing for the removal of the Taliban and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from Russia’s list of terrorist organisations, creating a legal basis for changes in relations with these groups.
Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)
Details: The recently signed decree authorises the Russian government to remove certain organisations from its list of terrorist groups. This includes the Taliban, which currently rules Afghanistan, and HTS, which has recently assumed power in Syria. The decision is viewed as part of Russia’s wider strategy to build stronger relations with these groups.
Russian military bloggers suggest that these actions will promote political and economic cooperation between Russia and the Taliban, potentially facilitating the creation of new trade routes through Afghanistan. The decree also provides an opportunity for Russia to collaborate with the interim Syrian government led by HTS. Analysts observe that this will enable Russia to secure and sustain its military bases in Syria.
To quote the ISW’s Key Takeaways on 28 December:
- Russian leader Vladimir Putin appears to be trying to smooth over possible tensions in the Russian-Azerbaijani and Russian-Kazakh relationships after Russian air defence likely shot an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane on 25 December, causing it to crash in Kazakhstan.
- Ukrainian forces recently struck a Russian Shahed drone storage, maintenance, and repair facility in Oryol City, Oryol Oblast.
- Russian authorities continue to establish a legal basis to remove the Taliban and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from the Russian government’s official list of banned terrorist organisations.
- Russian forces recently advanced near Kreminna, Siversk, Toretsk, and Kurakhove.
- The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 28 December that the Russian military completed its autumn 2024 conscription cycle.
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