Residents of Vainakh villages in Syria ask Chechens not to fight for IS

Residents of the Chechen village of Ras al-Ayn in Syria under siege by the "Islamic State" (IS) ask their countrymen from Northern Caucasus not to go to Syria to participate in the armed conflict on the side of the radicals.

Syrian villages of Ras al-Ain and Al-Safih have been predominantly inhabited by immigrants from Northern Caucasus, Chechen and Ingush people. The villagers were founded by first muhajiruns from Northern Caucasus, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by journalist Saslanbek Isaev, who worked there.

The journalist has noted that the number of local residents who stay in Syria after the beginning of the conflict also includes Russian citizens.

When asked by the "Caucasian Knot" how Chechens from opposite sides treat each other in battles, a local guide of Saslanbek Isaev has said that "the Chechens have never encountered each other in combat actions yet and they try to avoid meeting each other in battles."

Aminat, a resident of the Vainakh village of Al-Safih, interviewed by Saslanbek Isaev, has also reported that no Chechen came to the village in groups of radicals. When asked by the "Caucasian Knot", "whether she treats Chechens fighting in the ranks of the IS or Nusra as enemies," the woman answered that she has not yet seen any Chechens coming to fight for on the side of Daesh (the Arabic name for ISIL, banned in Russia - note of the "Caucasian Knot").

"If I had met at least one of such Chechens, I would have asked him why they come here to kill Muslims? And I call on all Vainakhs not do that," Aminat has said.

Saslanbek Isaev has also noted that the village is still blocked, including from the area of the Turkish-Syrian border.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.