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Russian deputy defense minister says some IS militants were recruited from Asia Pacific

"Emissaries of the Islamic State recruit supporters from local extremist groups to send them to the Middle East and North Africa," Anatoly Antonov said
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov
© Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS

BEIJING, October 11. /TASS/. Some militants from the Islamic State terrorist organization (banned in Russia) were recruited in the Asia Pacific countries, and their return may increase the terrorist activities in the region, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said on Tuesday at the Xiangshan security forum in China.

"A considerable part of ISIL militants were recruited from Asia Pacific countries. Emissaries of the Islamic State recruit supporters from local extremist groups to send them to the Middle East and North Africa. There is no doubt that their return home will lead to increasing terrorist activities in the Asia Pacific," Antonov said.

"We consider boosting cooperation in this sphere as one of priorities in ensuring comprehensive security in the region," he added.

Antonov reminded about agreements with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asia Nations) member countries reached at the Sochi summit. They deal with countering traditional and new security challenges, fighting against terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization. The deputy defense minister said Russia highly assesses these agreements.