Kyrgyzstan Alerts Arab Nations: Surge of Extremist Fighters Enter Syria
Marat Imankulov, Chairman of the National Security Council of Kyrgyzstan, stated at the Collective Security Conference and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Central Asia that “more than 20,000 fighters from East Turkestan, along with their families, have joined the new Syrian security forces via Turkey and by ship. Additionally, more than 5,000 other extremist fighters have been transferred to Syria from Central Asia and the Caucasus, posing a direct threat to regional security.”
Since the onset of the Syrian crisis, Turkey has actively facilitated the transfer of terrorists and extremist fighters into Syria. This transfer process has continued even after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government. This issue can be examined from at least two perspectives:
Firstly, foreign extremist fighters have historically played a crucial role in breaking front lines and advancing military objectives for Tahrir al-Sham, and indirectly for Turkey. Numerous videos from the conflict with the previous government support this assertion. Currently, it appears that Turkey and the Jolani government require more foreign extremist forces to achieve their security goals in Syria and to suppress opposition while establishing order in various regions.
Secondly, Syria has become an attractive destination for extremists. With the ascent of a new government predominantly composed of radical Islamists, a platform has been created for these individuals, who face systemic and ideological challenges in their home countries, to congregate in Syria. In fact, Syria has transformed into a sanctuary for extremists, drawing them from around the world along with their families. This situation poses a significant security risk for both Syria and the broader region and could lead to disastrous consequences in the long run.
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