The leader of Chechnya in Russia's North Caucasus, Ramzan Kadyrov, has said that he will be ready to send Chechen servicemen to fight the Islamic State (ISIL) group in Syria only after he receives this permission from Russia's president and supreme commander-in-chief, Vladimir Putin.
“I am not simply saying this. I, as a Muslim, as a Chechen and as a patriot of Russia declare that in 1999, when the republic was swept by these ‘shaitans’ who exist today, we swore on the Karan that our entire life we would fight against them (terrorists) wherever they are. I am not just saying this, but I request permission for us to go there and take part in these special operations,” Kadyrov said in an interview with the Russian News Service on Oct. 2.
He, however, noted that such a decision should be made by Russia’s supreme commander-in-chief, adding that Chechen servicemen are ready to fight.
“As soon as the terrorists in Syria understand that soldiers are heading to them, they will promptly run away,” the Chechen head said.
“We know them, we destroyed them here, we fought against them. And they also know us,” Kadyrov said.
“The terrorists do not know yet what a real war means because they have come across only bombardments, but they have no experience as far as hostilities are concerned,” he said.
