BISHKEK (Sputnik) — Central Asian national counterterrorism centers and think-tanks are meeting in Kyrgystan’s capital, Bishkek, on Monday to discuss the potential threat posed by the Islamic State to their national security, a spokesperson for the Kyrgyz National Security Committee said.
Bishkek is now hosting a Central Asia forum entitled “Joining up of efforts of state agencies and research institutions at countering violent extremism and religious radicalization in Central Asia,” the spokesperson told reporters.
Islamic State extremists, who are wreaking havoc in Syria and Iraq, pose a huge threat to Central Asian countries by luring their citizens to join ISIL militant groups and by radicalizing regional religious organizations, according to some of the forum’s participants.
It is envisaged that during the meeting the participants will elaborate recommendations addressed to Central Asian national security forces on how to enhance their effectiveness in countering terrorism.
To date, as many as 200 Kyrgyz nationals have joined IS to fight in Syria. Kyrgyz law enforcement bodies warn that Kyrgyz fighters recruited by IS may return to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to carry out subversive activities.
