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A Chechen al-Qaeda? Caucasian groups further internationalise the Syrian struggle
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Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik -SWP- Deutsches Institut für Internationale Politik und Sicherheit
Abstract In April 2014 government forces defeated a rebel offensive in the north of the Syrian province of Latakia. Although they initially reached the coast, the insurgents were unable to hold their positions there. The rebel forces included many Chechens and other Caucasians, had who previously been seen f... view more
In April 2014 government forces defeated a rebel offensive in the north of the Syrian province of Latakia. Although they initially reached the coast, the insurgents were unable to hold their positions there. The rebel forces included many Chechens and other Caucasians, had who previously been seen fighting exclusively in the Caucasus. Their strong presence in Syria is a completely new turn in international jihadism, and a warning to be taken seriously, as many arrive from the Georgian, Turkish and European diasporas rather from their original home republics. While their goal remains to "liberate" the Caucasus from Russian rule, they are now struggling to topple the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria and there is a risk that they will continue terrorist activity after returning to Turkey and Europe. The arrival of the Chechens in Syria makes a joint anti-terrorism strategy with Turkey even more urgent, and forces Western states to cooperate with Russian security agencies. (author's abstract)... view less
Keywords
Syria; civil war; Islam; terrorism; Chechnya; fight against terrorism; international cooperation; Turkey; Europe; Russia; domestic security
Classification
Peace and Conflict Research, International Conflicts, Security Policy
Free Keywords
militanter Islam; Heiliger Krieg (Islam); Dschihad; Tschetschenen; Kaukasier
Document language
English
Publication Year
2014
City
Berlin
Page/Pages
7 p.
Series
SWP Comment, 31/2014
ISSN
1861-1761
Status
Published Version; reviewed
Licence
Deposit Licence - No Redistribution, No Modifications