“Terrorists” are only “terrorists” when it matters.

A few years ago Syrian mercenaries started appearing in wars, such as those in Libya and Azerbaijan. Few paid attention to foreign jihadists in Syria, such as the Chechens. However, their recent departure from Syria to fight against Russia in Ukraine has come as a surprise.

The Chechens were among the first foreign mercenaries to join the aggression against Syria. The first Chechen unit in Syria was formed in 2012 by Omar Al Shishani, a commander who became the Islamic Caliphate’s minister of war the following year.

NATO moves Chechen jihadists from Syria to Ukraine – ECD1 / TCO1