Russian National Guard: over 1,300 Dagestanis join Syrian militants

More than 1,300 people coming from Russia’s North Caucasus Republic of Dagestan have joined Syrian militants, head of Dagestan’s National Guard department Magomed Baachilov said.

"At present, more than 1,300 Dagestani people are fighting in the Syrian Arab Republic. Imagine the consequences of their return," the official said, adding that they are taking precautions.

According to him, 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," TASS cited Baachilov as saying.