MOSCOW, November 26. /TASS/. International terrorism has become a key tool in the arsenal of foreign intelligence services targeting the security of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Director Alexander Bortnikov said at a meeting of the CIS security services and intelligence agencies chiefs’ council.

"International terrorism is a significant instrument used by foreign special services to undermine security in various regions of the world. The CIS is no exception," he noted. The security service chief reiterated that the biggest threat to CIS countries is the accumulation of international terrorist organizations in Afghanistan and the deployment of militants in border areas from the Middle East, where the humanitarian situation remains critical due to the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

The Islamic State’s (IS) Wilayat Khorasan and al-Qaida (both recognized as terrorist organizations and banned in Russia) continue to play a major role among these groups, he recalled.

The FSB director called for closer cooperation with Afghanistan's authorities to counter this threat. "Considering the Taliban movement’s efforts against IS, I believe it is possible to establish constructive cooperation with Afghan authorities and special services in this area, as well as in tackling illegal arms trade and drug trafficking," the Russian security chief said.