Central Asia drives Syria repatriations to reduce risk

Subject

Central Asian policies on repatriating nationals associated with Middle East insurgency.

Significance

Central Asian governments' concerns about radicalisation among Muslim-majority populations were amplified when hundreds of nationals went to Syria and Iraq in 2014-15 to join Islamic State (IS) and other jihadist groups. They are prioritising the repatriation of women and children, in contrast to European governments' reluctance to approve blanket returns.

Impacts

• The security drive against local extremists will be sustained across Central Asia.
• Policies towards returning women will not be affected by IS-attributed attacks unless a direct link is made.
• In Russia, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov is leading on repatriation efforts focused on children.