Zhusan-2: 231 Kazakh nationals withdrawn from combat zones in Syria

A briefing held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan discussed the condition of the Kazakh nationals returned to their homeland following the special op with the code name “Zhusan-2”. Following the operation, 231 Kazakh nationals, including 156 children, have been taken away from Syria.

Kazakh vice foreign minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev recalled that the instruction of first Kazakh President, Leader of the Nation Nursultan Nazarbayev, and sanctions by current Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev led the returning of 231 Kazakh nationals, including 16 men, 59 women, 156 children, from the combat zones between 7 and 9 May.

This humanitarian effort had a prime focus to save the Kazakh nationals, who were drugged into the combat zones, as well as to give Kazakh nationals a chance to live and develop in peace.

According to Mr Yerzhan Ashikbayev, if persons are found guilty of terrorist activities or were involved in illegal hostilities, they will be prosecuted under the country’s legislation.

In general, the effort was possible thanks to logical support from the USA, with the vital role played by the Syrian Democratic Forces.

The period of adaptation, re-socialization, while focusing on de-radicalization and rehabilitation, envisaged for those returned is not a one-month event. They will need to undergo full medical check-ups. And upon their return back home this effort will continue, with all necessary specialists being engaged.

20 Kazakh nationals were charged with terrorist offences, and the remaining were deployed in the special adaptation center near Aktau

Head of Kazakhstan’s NSC Office, Bakhytbek Rakhymberdiyev, told at the briefing that 16 Kazakh men and 4 women, taken away from the combat zones in Syria, were detained on terrorist charges.

“Upon arrival to Kazakhstan, 16 men and 4 women were detained on terrorist charges on the Daesh side”, he said.

The head of the Kazakh NSC Office stated that the remaining 55 women, children were accommodated in the special adaptation center near the city of Aktau for around a month. They undergo medical examinations, quarantine is in place. Psychologists, theologists, workers of NGOs are engaged, and identification documents are restored. Their involvement in terrorist activities are also investigated. Upon the termination of quarantine, if there are no impeding circumstances, women and children will be returned back home.

“On behalf of the NSC I inform that the persons returned from Syria are citizens of Nur-Sultan, Almaty, as well as Almaty, Atyrau, West Kazakhstan, Aktobe, Akmola, Karaganda, Turkestan and Mangistau regions. These persons made a decision to return in good faith, while some were willing to face legal changes abroad. To return the children who were unwillingly trapped in the hostility zones in Syria is a whole other thing”, he said.

NSC employees, who travelled abroad multiple times, were engaged in the whole return process. 

According to him, out of 156 children returned, 107 are under 7 years old, 18 children are orphans, whose parents died and went missing abroad. Over half of the children are foreign born.  

Around 300 Kazakh nationals still remain in hostility zones in Syria

Two thirds of whom are children.

“Over 300 persons, two thirds of whom are children, are still in Syria. Other countries are not taken due to small percentages. The number of fatalities is an estimation because of ongoing military activities”, Bakhytbek Rakhymberdiyev said.

While answering the questions “Why the citizens are returned from Syria?” and “Why don’t bar them from entering the country?” the speaker said the country fulfills its commitments. He also stressed that it is the principled position to ensure the inevitability of punishment. Those was not found guilty will undergo rehabilitation. Given the world practice, the same applies to foreign citizens who are within our territory.

“Taking as an example the arrest of over 50 foreigners linked to terrorism and extremism in 2018. In case governments refuses to take them, such a “negative potential” remains within the country”, he said.

It should be noted that Kazakh President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has recently issued a statement on the withdrawal of 231 Kazakh nationals from Syria.

Such a major humanitarian effort followed the earlier operation “Zhusan”, that has been satisfactorily completed under first Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev this January.

Adlet Seilkhanov

Photo by Bauyrzhan Zhuasbayev