Stop your people from joining terror groups, Kosovo told

PRISTINA: The United Nations is urging authorities in Kosovo to have a clear strategy to deter potential fighters from joining extremists in Syria and Iraq, and to offer more employment possibilities and education.

A UN-commissioned report, made available on Tuesday, examined returned foreign fighters and the reasons that Kosovars joined extremist groups.

It also urged Kosovo and international bodies to develop better policies to prevent violent extremism.

According to Kosovo police, 335 citizens had travelled to or been caught en route to conflict zones in Syria and Iraq since 2012, making Kosovo one of Europe’s largest exporters of foreign fighters on per capita basis.

They included 253 men, 55 women and 27 children.

The would-be fighters usually travelled through Turkey to Syria, where they joined the Islamic State, Jabhat Al Nusrah, Ahrar Al Sham or the Free Syrian Army terror groups.

“Ethnic Albanians fighting for extremist groups, including Lavdrim Muhaxheri, Ridvan Haqifi and others, presented photographic evidence that portrayed a sense of pride, freedom, empowerment and, ultimately, happiness,” the report said.

The perception of anti-Islamic feelings, poor education and a lack of employment seemed to have been the main causes for recruitment. The Internet and social media were identified as tools for radicalisation. — AP