CONTEMPORARY EURASIA VOLUME VII (1, 2) Contemporary-Eurasia-3new | Page 156

CONTEMPORARY EURASIA
Azerbaijanis in Syria and Iraq
ISIS
Lack of closeness and lack of common borders with Syria and Iraq
did not prevent Azerbaijan from being aff ected by events. According to
Sargis Grigoryan, Syrian events and the establishment of ISIS infl uenced
Azerbaijanis’ radicalization. 54 The number of Azerbaijanis involved in a
confl ict varies from diff erent sources. Lonardo asserts that the fi rst wave
of Azerbaijani fi ghters had previously been connected with other jihadi
networks. Some had been members of “Muhajirin Brigadem”, “Karabakh
Partisans”, fi ghters in Chechnya, the “Tabuk jamaat”, etc. 55
Involvement of Azerbaijanis in Syrian confl ict is an interesting phe-
nomenon. First, radical Islam is becoming more visible in Azerbaijan due
to their participation in the confl ict. Second, it was the fi rst time when
Azerbaijanis participated in a military confrontation having a religious
ground outside of their own country. 56 Azerbaijani Salafi sts were inspired
by Abu Bakr al Baghdadi’s announcement about the creation of the Is-
lamic State (ISIS) 57 , and their involvement in ISIS was a collective deci-
sion. Joining the ranks of ISIS was seen by Salafi sts as an opportunity to
bring changes in their country.
One possible reason of Azerbaijanis involvement is the phenomenon
of sacred jihad (holy war), which is explained as “elevation of a warrior
to the status of shahid (martyr)”. 58 Therefore, involvement in jihad was
one reason of Azerbaijanis involvement. Another motivating reason was
Azerbaijanis’ desire to be part of ISIS and participation in the creation
of Caliphate. Third reason regards fi nancial opportunities, according
to which foreign fi ghters were paid for fi ghting. Some believe that new
members were recruited by radical, militant Salafi sts by off ering fi nancial
support. Therefore, it should not be surprising why young uneducated and
untrained people were noticed among militants. Joining terrorist group
also gives this segment of population an opportunity of self-expression
and improvement of social status.
Regarding geographical issues, the lack of common border was not
such an issue. Azerbaijani citizens can reach Syria and Iraq only by cross-
ing Georgia and Iran. In reality, citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan do
not need to have entry visa to cross the borders when entering these coun-
tries, which means that they are free of legal obstacles.
54
55
56
57
58
Ibid.
Lonardo, The Islamic State and the Connections.
Ibrahimov, ‘The Participation of Azerbaijan Citizens,’ 164-169.
Ibid. 166-167; Leonardo, “The Islamic State and the Connections”.
Ibrahimov, ‘The Participation of Azerbaijan Citizens,’ 164-169.
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