SCO countries should be ready to counter threats together - Kyrgyzstan’s General Staff

BISHKEK, April 24. /TASS/. Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member-countries should be ready to counter threats together, Kyrgyzstan’s General Staff deputy head Zakir Tilenov said on Friday. "A very difficult situation is developing in the modern world," Tileno said in the Kyrgyz town of Tokmok, where special units from SCO member-countries are currently taking part in military drills. "It is enough to look at what is going on in Iraq, Syria or Afghanistan now," he added. The actions of Islamic State (IS) militants present a serious threat to security, the official noted. "Some similar forces are interested in destabilizing the situation in Central Asia," Tilenov warned, adding that "SCO member-countries should be ready to counter those threats together." Around 20-25 servicemen from each Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia and Tajikistan are taking part in the joint military drills in Tokmok, which started on April 22. Today, they are practicing holding joint operations on destroying illegal armed groups in the mountainous area and liquidating militants hiding in buildings. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a regional organization founded on June 15, 2001 in China’s Shanghai. Priority areas of SCO activities include fighting against terrorism, extremism, developing cooperation in the spheres of energy, oil and gas, transport, telecommunications and others. Among SCO member-countries are Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan have an observer status in the organization, while Belarus, Turkey and Sri Lanka are dialogue partners. Read more