BALKANLARDA YABANCI TERÖRİST SAVAŞÇILAR

Abstract

In this study, the concept of "foreign terrorist fighter" which increased its popularity with the start of the Syrian Civil War was examined. Examples of foreign terrorist fighters have been encountered in ethnic or religious conflicts that have taken place in many parts of the world since the 18th century. However, as a natural result of the lack of a common definition of 'terrorism' in the literature, a global definition of the concept of foreign terrorist fighter cannot be made. At this juncture, there are two important decisions taken by the UN, and regarding these decisions, members states largely shape the FTF concept. Considering the geographical distribution of foreign terrorist fighters, the number of people traveling from the Balkan states to Syria and Iraq is less compared to other countries. But the increase in the number of people going to the region as time passed has been alarming Balkan states after a while. Those people going to the region have largely participated in salafist terrorist organizations such as DEASH, Al-Nusra Front. Among the estimated figures, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo were the states with a greater proportion than other Balkan countries. In line with these matters, the article will try to explain the concept of foreign terrorist fighters by referring to the age, gender, educational status, motivation sources and legal changes made by the countries of origin from Balkan countries to Syria or Iraq.