Kosovo arrests 40 suspected of fighting in Syria, Iraq

Publisher	Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date	11 August 2014
Cite as	Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kosovo arrests 40 suspected of fighting in Syria, Iraq, 11 August 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54003ecc5.html [accessed 20 May 2023]
Comments	All reference to Kosovo should be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.
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 11, 2014

Kosovar police have arrested 40 men in a major operation against Islamic radicals suspected of fighting alongside extremists in Syria and Iraq.

Spokesman Baki Kelani told RFE/RL that police raided 60 locations across Kosovo early on August 11 and that the operation was ongoing.

Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were seized during the raids.

The police operation is believed to be the largest ever against suspected Islamic militants in Kosovo.

Officials say an estimated 100 to 200 ethnic Albanians from Kosovo have joined extremists in Syria and Iraq.

Police say at least 16 Kosovars have been killed in Iraq and Syria.

With reporting by Reuters and AP