Repatriation of Kazakh Women and Children from Conflict Zones in Syria and Iraq
Repatriation of Kazakh Women and Children from Conflict Zones in Syria and Iraq

Summary/Abstract: The issues of combatting terrorism and extremism are considered to be the most acute problems in the national security of many countries. Terrorism has never been seen in Kazakhstan as a real threat, but more as a potential danger. However, after the terrorist attacks that took place on the territory of Kazakhstan, the threat of terrorism has become a reality. Moreover, a number of citizens of Kazakhstan left the country in order to join the “holy war” mainly in Syria and Iraq, and contribute to the building of the “Islamic Caliphate.” In order to evacuate the Kazakh citizens left in dangerous terrorist zones, the National Security of the Republic of Kazakhstan conducted a large-scale humanitarian operation “Zhusan” returning 607 citizens (413 of them are children) from ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria). In this article, various factors and motives of women who were under the influence of terrorist ideology and who emigrated to ISIS in order to become “true” Muslims are revealed based on the research works of Kazakh and foreign scholars and researchers as well as interviews of the women themselves and experts who worked with them.

• Details
• Contents