The Lure of the Syrian War: the Foreign Fighters’ Bosnian Contingent
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THE LURE OF THE SYRIAN WAR: THE FOREIGN FIGHTERS’ BOSNIAN CONTINGENT By Vlado Azinović and Muhamed Jusić THE LURE OF THE SYRIAN WAR: THE FOREIGN FIGHTERS’ BOSNIAN CONTINGENT - By Vlado AzinovićVlado and Muhamed Jusić - By BOSNIAN CONTINGENT THE FOREIGN FIGHTERS’ WAR: THE SYRIAN OF THE LURE 1 Dr. Vlado Azinović is an associate professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Sarajevo. Muhamed Jusić is a theologian and columnist. This project was supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Bosna and Herzegovina. The opin- ions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed herein are those of the authors and the Atlantic Initiative and do not necessarily reflect those of the Norwegian Government. Copyright © 2015 The Atlantic Initiative. All Rights Reserved. Vlado Azinović and Muhamed Jusić THE LURE OF THE SYRIAN WAR: THE FOREIGN FIGHTERS’ BOSNIAN CONTINGENT Preliminary Report Sarajevo, 2015 CONTENTS Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................................................................6 Key findings ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................7 Foreign Fighters .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 10 The War in Syria: A Historical Background ............................................................................................................................................ 14 The Hama Massacre ................................................................................................................................................................................ 14 “A Surplus of History” .............................................................................................................................................................................. 16 Alawites or Nusayris? .............................................................................................................................................................................. 16 The Dynamics of the Syrian War .......................................................................................................................................................... 18 The Roots of the So-called Islamic State ............................................................................................................................................ 22 The Islamic State or Al-Qaeda? ............................................................................................................................................................. 23 ISIL’s Operational Strategy and the “Management of Savagery” ................................................................................................. 25 Christian Factions in the Syrian Conflict............................................................................................................................................. 27 BiH Citizens in Syria and Iraq ........................................................................................................................................................................ 29 Trends and Numbers .................................................................................................................................................................................. 29 Records of Departures of BiH Citizens for Syria and Iraq.................................................................................................................. 31 A General Assessment ................................................................................................................................................................................ 32 Trends and Characteristics .............................................................................................................................................................................34 Patterns of Travel ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 36 Life in Syria .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 38 A Criminal Past............................................................................................................................................................................................. 39 The Geography of the Phenomenon ..................................................................................................................................................... 40 Motives for Departure from BiH to Syria and Iraq .............................................................................................................................. 40 Patterns of Radicalisation ......................................................................................................................................................................... 43 Coming Home .......................................................................................................................................................................................................45 Social Challenges ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 47 Prevention and Repression ....................................................................................................................................................................... 47 Final Considerations and Possible Recommendations ..................................................................................................................... 49 Bibliography .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 50 Annex 1 – Law Amending the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Article 162 b. Unlawful establishing and joining foreign paramilitary or para-police formations .............................. 59 Annex 2 – United Nations Security Council Resolution 2178, adopted 24 September 2014 ......................................... 61 Annex 3 – An overview of new laws and amendments to the criminal codes in Western Balkan countries that criminalize participation in foreign wars Republic of Kosovo: Law On Prohibition Of Joining The Armed Conflicts Outside State Territory.............................. 71 Republic of Macedonia (FYRM): Participation in a foreign army, police, paramilitary or parapolice formations ... 75 Republic of Montenegro: Participation in foreign army formations ....................................................................................... 77 Republic of Serbia: Participation in a war or an armed conflict in a foreign state ............................................................ 82 INTRODUCTION Returning foreign fighters from Syria and Iraq – battle-hardened, skilled in handling arms and ex- plosives, and ideologically radicalised – pose a direct threat not only to the security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also of the region and beyond. Upon their return, they may already belong to existing networks of radicalised individuals or they may establish new ones; and their return could thus have a long-lasting effect on BiH society, as these former fighters may challenge existing leadership in their respective communities or become role models for youth. It is therefore nec- essary to monitor, analyse, and report this phenomenon, as well as to develop an effective count- er-narrative and various intervention strategies. So far, however, such efforts are palpably lacking. The Lure of the Syrian War: The Foreign Fighters’ Bosnian Contingent is based on extensive research that examined the dynamics of the civil war in Syria and the role of foreign fighters, especially those from Bosnia and Herzegovina. It provides the first comprehensive analysis of the foreign fighter phenomenon in BiH and points to key trends in radicalization, recruitment, facilitation, and financing of individuals poised to travel to and fight in the Syrian and Iraqi war theatres. This study also explored the economic, geographic, social, and educational background of these indi- viduals, as well as their previous criminal records, age distribution, patterns and means of travel, and the duration and location of their activities in Syria and Iraq. Further, the research exposed links between foreign fighters from BiH and radical and militant groups and individuals, and as- sessed the level of threat that foreign fighters could pose upon their return to their respective THE LURE OF THE SYRIAN WAR: THE FOREIGN FIGHTERS’ BOSNIAN CONTINGENT - By Vlado AzinovićVlado and Muhamed Jusić - By BOSNIAN CONTINGENT THE FOREIGN FIGHTERS’ WAR: THE SYRIAN OF THE LURE communities. Finally, this study offers policy recommendations meant to contribute to more ef- fective (security, political, social, and other)