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Over 1,300 people from Dagestan joined Syrian militants — National Guard

© AP Photo/Sergei Grits, archive

MAKHACHKALA, March 20. /TASS/. More than 1,300 people coming from Russia’s North Caucasus Republic of Dagestan have joined Syrian militants, the head of Dagestan’s National Guard department, Magomed Baachilov, has told reporters.

"At present, more than 1,300 Dagestani people are fighting in the Syrian Arab Republic. Imagine the consequences of their return. All they can do is kill and rape. If they return, the entire North Caucasus region will be in trouble. That’s why we are taking precautions," Baachilov said.

According to the official, a "sufficient number" of militants who returned from Syria have been identified and detained. Others were killed in special operations.

"It is also of great concern that more and more often, interior ministry officers come across facts indicating that young women aged between 18 and 25 are departing to Syria. They leave not to accompany their husbands; they go there to take part in hostilities. A significant number of our young women have been departing to Syria," Baachilov added.

In March 2018, Dagestan’s Interior Minister Abdurashid Magomedov said about 1,300 residents of the republic have joined the ranks of international terrorist organizations.

According to the regional minister, 15 people were detained upon their return to Dagestan from Syria, where they fought for militant groups. 23 people were detained while attempting to leave for Syria and join militant groups there.

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