Tajik president calls Isis a modern ‘plague’

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan: The president of Tajikistan on Saturday called the Islamic State group a modern “plague“, expressing concern that several hundred young people had left the ex-Soviet republic to fight with jihadists in Syria.

“The Islamic State is the plague of the new century and represents a threat for global security,” said President Emomali Rakhmon at a party meeting, according to his press service.

The central Asian nation’s security forces believe that more than 300 Tajiks have joined the fighting in Syria, with at least 50 killed so far.

“These young people, when they return home, bring instability to society,” Rakhmon said.

“They are a threat for Tajikistan because they recruit for extremist groups in Syria and Iraq.”

Majority-Muslim Tajikistan in November announced the arrest of 12 members of the outlawed Islamist group Jamaat Ansarullah on suspicion of enlisting would-be jihadists for Syria.

At the start of December, the government arrested 50 young militants who had been recruited to fight in Syria.

Islamists were deeply involved in a bloody five-year civil war in the secular country that ended in 1997.

AFP

M. Wassouf

You might also like
Latest news
Syria calls on UN member states to take firm measures and stop Israeli attacks Israeli aggression targets civilian sites south of Damascus Russian Trade Representation in Syria holds a sports marathon to celebrate National Unity Day in Rus... Settlers burn Palestinian lands and homes east of Ramallah Lebanese resistance targets Meron base, settlements and gatherings of the Israeli enemy 43,374 martyrs since the beginning of the Israeli war of extermination on the Gaza Strip Three martyrs in Israeli air raids on southern Lebanon Syrian film (Salma) at Cairo International Film Festival Recreational activities and psychological support in Homs for children arriving from Lebanon Pezeshkian: Iran is facing an economic war to weaken it Palestinian Foreign Ministry: The occupation crimes in the West Bank are part of the war of extermin... The Syria Trust for Development in cooperation with the Finnish Relief Organization: In the Aleppo c... A Palestinian man was shot by the occupation forces near Bethlehem Syrian Postal Corporation issues a commemorative stamp on the occasion of “National Environment Day” The beginning of the winter vegetable season  in Sweida with a plan of 2890 dunums Palestinian Presidency: The world must take concrete steps on the ground against Israel With the participation of 20 Artisans, the Autumn 2024 Exhibition kicks off at Baniyas Culture Cente... Minister of Endowments discusses with Vice President of the Russian Pyatigorsk State University the ... Martyrs and wounded as a result of the occupation's bombing of Al-Nuseirat camp Lebanese National  resistance targets 4 settlements and an Israeli air base