Since 2019, 531 repatriates from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan have been returned to Uzbekistan - Botir Tursunov

Major General Botir Tursunov, First Deputy Head of the State Security Service (SSS), delivered a speech at the international conference held in Tashkent with the participation of SCO and CIS structures. This was reported by UzA.

According to Botir Tursunov, during its years of independent development, Uzbekistan, like many other countries, has faced various forms of terrorism and extremism.

"Combating these security threats has allowed us to establish a national standard in this area. Our counterterrorism and anti-extremism strategies are continually evolving, adapting to new challenges and threats," said Tursunov, Deputy Chairman of the SSS.

He noted that the adoption of the National Strategy of Uzbekistan for Combating Extremism and Terrorism for 2021-2026, along with its accompanying Action Plan, marked a significant turning point in this field.

"Special emphasis is placed on social and psychological support for former and potential supporters of extremist ideologies, providing them with education, employment, and overall opportunities to realize their potential. This comprehensive approach has yielded significant results and is being recognized internationally," Tursunov added.

Furthermore, the SSS official highlighted that some of the citizens repatriated from conflict zones under the "Mehr" operations have adopted modern lifestyles, while others practice traditional Islam.

"Since 2019, 531 repatriates from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan have been brought back to Uzbekistan as part of five 'Mehr' humanitarian operations. These individuals have received social, medical, and other forms of assistance. Today, 90.2 percent of the repatriates lead a modern lifestyle, while 9.8 percent adhere to traditional Islamic practices," stated Tursunov.

It is worth recalling that earlier during the conference, the Chairman of the SSS, Lieutenant General Abdusalam Azizov, emphasized the importance of supporting Afghanistan in combating the "Khorasan region" threat.