Summary
Chechens in Syria are ethnic Chechens who form a small minority in Syria.
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 6,000–35,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Ras al-Ayn, Ayn Al-Arab, Al-Qamishli, Al-Malikiyah, Al-Hasakah, Afrin, Manbij, Damascus | |
| Languages | |
| Chechen, Russian, Arabic | |
| Religion | |
| Sunni Islam |
History edit
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 of Chechens to the Assad Government is strengthened by the close relationship between Russia and the Assad Government, and long historical Chechen–Russian conflict.[3] There are also recent Chechen soldiers working on the Assad side, mostly sent by strongman in Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov.[4]
Population edit
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 edit
Due to repression by the Syrian Ba'athist government, the Chechen minority have had little success 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 edit
- ^ a b c d Jaimoukha, Amjad M. (2008), "Syria", The Chechens: A Handbook, Routledge, p. 232, ISBN 978-0415323284
- ^ Mairbek Vatchagaev (1 October 2015). "Is Moscow Set to Target Russians Fighting Against Assad in Syria?". Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
- ^ "Chechens drawn south to fight against Syria's Assad". BBC News. 20 November 2013.
- ^ "Chechen leader claims his troops eager to fight 'scum' in Syria". 8 December 2016.
- ^ Behnstedt, Peter (2008), "Syria", in Versteegh, Kees; Eid, Mushira; Elgibali, Alaa; Woidich, Manfred; Zaborski, Andrzej (eds.), Encyclopedia of Arabic Language and Linguistics, vol. 4, Brill Publishers, p. 402, ISBN 978-90-04-14476-7