November 12, 2014 SETimes
By Linda Karadaku

Kosovo is undertaking all measures to prevent the flow of fighters to Iraq and Syria in support of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), officials said.

Kosovo is roughly halfway between the ISIL operational theatre and western Europe, and has additionally become a fertile ground for recruitment on its territory. An estimated 200 Kosovo citizens are fighting as part of jihadist terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq, often inspired and organised by radical preachers.

Officials said they are working around the clock to address the security challenge arising from international as well as domestic groups and individuals aiding ISIL.

Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga affirmed that the country is erecting “steel doors to show these security threats will not be used as a corridor moving toward the East or the West.”

Terrorist cells have already penetrated Kosovo and aim to spread religious radicalism, which is dangerous in addition to being inhuman, said Mentor Vrajolli, a researcher for the Kosovo Centre for Security Studies in Pristina.

“Exposed to such danger today are countries in the region, as well as democratic countries in the West and elsewhere. Consequently, fighting this phenomenon requires a global engagement,” Vrajolli told SETimes.

Vrajolli said in addition to the police work, there is a need to work on preventing and even isolating individuals within Kosovo that preach extremist ideologies.

Kosovo passed a law last March sanctioning its citizens’ participation in foreign wars. The authorities have arrested more than 40 suspects — including imams — that have fought for ISIL or have been involved in recruiting fighters in Kosovo and organising their departure.

Officials said Kosovo continues surveillance of those suspected of terrorism or otherwise involved in aiding the wars in Syria and Iraq, and acts in a timely fashion to interrupt any activity aimed at inciting violent extremism and hatred.

“Kosovo is fully engaged to … protect its national security by taking all measures that prevent citizens from joining conflicts abroad as well as preventing those who promote radical and violent ideas,” Bashmir Xhemaj, a political adviser to Kosovo Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj, told SETimes.

Experts welcomed the government’s increasing engagement but stated it has been delayed, given that the increasing Islamic extremism in Kosovo and the Balkans is one of the main threats to regional security and democracy, according to Burim Ramadani, former Kosovo MP.

“Kosovo’s inclusion in the international coalition to fight this extremist ideology is a strong argument for the pro-Western and pro-democratic orientation of the people and the institutions of Kosovo,” Burim Ramadani, former Kosovo MP, told SETimes.

US Secretary of State John Kerry sent a letter to Hoxhaj last month acknowledging Kosovo’s efforts.

Kerry said terrorism remains a pressing priority and added the two countries are engaged in a common struggle to degrade and destroy ISIL through an inclusive and sustainable strategy.

“We welcome Kosovo’s contribution in this effort, including the arrest of foreign fighters and their supporters as well as combating of violent extremism,” Kerry said.

Xhemaj also said Kosovo has taken a firm position to avoid being transformed into a source of criminal or terrorist activities that threaten the country’s stability and constitutional order.

“US support has been decisive in developing Kosovo’s security mechanisms. Kosovo will make all attempts to support our allies to treat all challenges that affect our countries,” Xhemaj said.