Kyrgyz official: 600 nationals fighting in Syria, Iraq
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 3 August 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kyrgyz official: 600 nationals fighting in Syria, Iraq, 3 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57db99a9f.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 03, 2016
By RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service
BISHKEK – A Kyrgyz security official says as many as 600 Kyrgyz citizens have joined Islamic militants in Syria and Iraq.
The figure includes 100 women, a spokesman for the Kyrgyz State Committee for National security, Rakhat Sulaimanov, told RFE/RL on August 3.
According to Sulaimanov, more than 70 Kyrgyz citizens had been killed in the past years while fighting on the side of Islamic militant groups.
He also said that 20 nationals have returned to Kyrgyzstan after taking part in the Syrian and Iraqi conflicts.
Kyrgyz authorities earlier said about 500 Kyrgyz citizens had joined Islamic militants in the two Middle Eastern countries.
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