Explaining Foreign Fighter Mobilization from the North Caucasus to Syria: Historical Legacy, Existing Networks, and Radicalized Identity

Year 2019, Issue: 9, 241 - 274, 30.12.2019

Beyza Gülin Güney

https://doi.org/10.32739/uskudarsbd.5.9.65

Abstract

This paper focuses on foreign fighter mobilization in the North Caucasus within the context of the similar motivations stemming from the Russian-Chechen wars and the Syrian Civil War. This paper seeks answers to the questions of what the conditions that facilitate the flow of the North Caucasian foreign fighters into Syria are and what the role of Russian-Chechen wars and other historical and social factors in this process is. This study proposes and applies an analytical framework of historical legacy, existing networks, and radicalized identity on the North Caucasian case. The empirical analysis is based on the examination of the expressions made by three North Caucasian fighters in Syria: Abdulhakim Shishani, Muslim Shishani, Salakhuddin Shishani. This study concludes that there is a historical continuity in the codes of radicalization and insurgency in the region from the past to present and same motivations may prompt foreign fighter mobilization in future conflicts.

Keywords

Foreign Fighters, Syrian Civil War, Russian-Chechen Wars, North Caucasus, Radicalization

Supporting Institution

TUBITAK

Thanks

This work was supported by TUBITAK Support to Participation in International Scientific Activities [grant number 1919B021801511] and Istanbul University Health, Culture and Sports Department. I would also like to thank Ali Murat Kurşun for his support with his information, suggestions and contributions during the preparation of the article.

Kuzey Kafkasya’dan Suriye’ye Yabancı Savaşçı Mobilizasyonunu Açıklamak: Tarihsel Miras, Mevcut Ağlar ve Radikalleşmiş Kimlik

Abstract

Bu makale, Rus-Çeçen Savaşları ve Suriye İç Savaşı’ndan kaynaklanan Kuzey Kafkasya’daki yabancı savaşçı mobilizasyonunun benzer motivasyonlarla hareket ettiğine odaklanmaktadır. Bu makale, Kuzey Kafkasyalı yabancı savaşçıların Suriye’ye akışını kolaylaştıran koşulların neler olduğu ve bu süreçte Rus-Çeçen Savaşları’nın ve diğer tarihi ve sosyal faktörlerin rolünün ne olduğu sorularına yanıt aramaktadır. Bu çalışma, Kuzey Kafkasya’daki yabancı savaşçılara ilişkin tarihsel mirasın, mevcut ağların ve radikalleşmiş kimliğin analitik bir çerçevesini sunmakta ve uygulamaktadır. Çalışmanın ampirik analizi, Suriye’de üç Kuzey Kafkas savaşçısı tarafından yapılan ifadelerin incelenmesine dayanmaktadır: Abdülhakim Şişani, Müslim Şişani, Selahaddin Şişani. Bu çalışma, geçmişten günümüze bölgedeki radikalleşme ve isyan kodlarında tarihsel bir süreklilik olduğu ve aynı motivasyonların gelecekteki çatışmalarda da yabancı savaşçı mobilizasyonunu tetikleyebileceği sonucuna varmaktadır.

Keywords

Yabancı Savaşçılar, Suriye İç Savaşı, Rus-Çeçen Savaşları, Kuzey Kafkasya, Radikalleşme

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