Chechens in Syria

Chechens in Syria are ethnic Chechens who form a small minority in Syria.

Chechens in Syria
Regions with significant populations
Ras al-Ayn, Ayn Al-Arab, Al-Qamishli, Al-Malikiyah, Al-Hasakah, Afrin, Manbij, Damascus
Languages
Chechen  · Arabic
Religion
Predominately Sunni Islam

History

Syria is home to a substantial Chechen population who emigrated there due to the Chechen–Russian conflict. The initial Chechen migrants sometimes clashed with local Arab and Druze settlers, though they later peacefully integrated into Syrian society.[1] After the Syrian Civil War's outbreak in 2011, however, about 3,000 Chechen militants also travelled to Syria in order to wage jihad there, and formed numerous anti-government militias. The most notable Chechen-led groups in Syria were Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar, the Caucasus Emirate (Syrian branch), Junud al-Sham and Ajnad al-Kavkaz.[2]

The hostility between Chechens to Assad Government is contributed by the close relationship between Russia and the Assad Government, and long historical Chechen–Russian conflict, thus antagonized Chechens and Syrian regime.[3] There are also recent Chechen soldiers working on the Assad side, mostly sent by strongman Ramzan Kadyrov.[4]

Population

There are no reliable figures on ethnic minorities in Syria, however, estimates on the Chechen minority ranged from 6,000 to 35,000 in 2008.[1]

The Chechen community in the Golan Heights were evicted following the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, with many Chechen refugees moving to Damascus whilst others emigrated abroad, especially to the United States.[1]

Culture

Due to repression by the Syrian Ba'athist government, the Chechen minority have been little successful in preserving their language and culture.[1] The Encyclopedia of Arabic Language and Linguistics places the Chechen language as the sixth-most spoken language in the country.[5]

References
  1. Jaimoukha, Amjad M. (2008), "Syria", The Chechens: A Handbook, Routledge, p. 232, ISBN 0415323282
  2. Mairbek Vatchagaev (1 October 2015). "Is Moscow Set to Target Russians Fighting Against Assad in Syria?". Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  3. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-24999697
  4. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/08/chechen-leader-claims-his-troops-eager-to-fight-scum-in-syria
  5. Behnstedt, Peter (2008), "Syria", in Versteegh, Kees; Eid, Mushira; Elgibali, Alaa; Woidich, Manfred; Zaborski, Andrzej (eds.), Encyclopedia of Arabic Language and Linguistics, 4, Brill Publishers, p. 402, ISBN 978-90-04-14476-7
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