ISTANBUL (Panorama.am)—The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the terrorist organization that has been waging war in Syria and now Iraq, is reportedly known to be operating mosques in Istanbul, where Azerbaijani jihadist recruits, among others, are trained for the war in Syria, according to a report by Azerbaijani news agency Haqqin, citing an announcement by one of the leaders of the clerical community of Istanbul, Hasan Kanaalti.
Kanaalti reported that ISIS has taken control of a number of mosques in the neighborhoods of Fatih, Ataşehir, Esenyurt, and Bağcılar. Young people from Azerbaijan undergo training in these mosques, he says, after which they are sent to war in Syria.
“The authorities do nothing and we are going to ensure the security of our community ourselves. We have called for meetings with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but we haven’t received any response from him for more than 10 days,” said Kanaalti.
According to the source, just days ago an attack occurred on Istanbul’s Muhammadi Mosque, where members of the Jafari Muslim community were holding a gathering. The attack was probably carried out by members of ISIS, Kanaalti says.
“We were told that we would not be allowed to pray Azan. One of the neighborhoods in which ISIS is based is Fatih. There the Salafis distribute booklets and fuel anti-Shia aggression. They have created an extended network of their missions in Ataşehir [district in Istanbul] where prior to being sent to Syria young jihadists from Azerbaijan are hosted for a couple of days. The government cannot but know about this,” Kanaalti explained.
As reported by Iranian news agency IRNA, the restraints on political and religious activities in Azerbaijan are one of the main reasons why ISIS considers the country a fertile land for the recruitment of jihadists.
Citizens of Azerbaijan are reportedly fighting among various terrorist groupings in Syria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. According to the data of Azerbaijani information agency Vesti.az, the total number of Azerbaijani terrorists in these countries is 300. Meanwhile, according to information provided by the Azerbaijani media, about 200 Azerbaijani terrorists have died within the last three years in Syria alone.
aren’t Azeris Shiats? so how are they fighting for Suni idealogy?
Why are there western politicians who support these two countries? They support ISIS. They produce JIHADISTS.
Without Turkisdh government’s knowledge not even a single fly may move. Thus, ISIS is supported by Turks.
I would not pay any attention to this issue ,let the beat go on.
Turks think they have isis under control. Unlikely. They underestimate Arabs.
***** well., I would love to see the complete deterioration of Turkey by the Islamist., which is going to happen for sure. and more economic and political set backs in very near future, as a matter of fact, the more the better., so they will be kicked out of NATO as well.
that would be a great day indeed.!!!
. I wish the Syrian government could establish a Nothern Palestinian Republic in Northern Syria to create a buffer state between Turkey and Syria with the promise that the Palestinians would support the Syrian government and stop the influx of fighters from Turkey into Syria. . This would be a mutually beneficial agreement and the Palestnians get along well with Armenians so the Syrian Armenians would have no reason to fear the Palestinians. Giving up a small chunk of land could make a huge difference in saving Mr. Assad because most of the Terrorists come from Turkey.