Tashkent, (TDI): Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are actively working to improve the support system for women and children returning from conflict zones, such as Iraq and Syria, according to UNICEF Uzbekistan.
In support of the European Union’s project “The second phase of EU-UN support to Central Asian states for their citizens returning from conflict zones,” delegations from these countries met to discuss their shared experiences and means of providing necessary backing and services for successfully reintegrating women and children into society.
Uzbekistan was one of the first nations in Central Asia to start repatriating its nationals from conflict zones.
Since 2019, the country has undertaken several missions to return women and children stranded in conflict zones as part of operations known as “Mehr” (“kindness” in Uzbek).
The “Mehr-1” and “Mehr-2” operations have enabled the Government of Uzbekistan to repatriate many of its citizens.
In cooperation with the government of Iraq and UNICEF, these operations offered a safe haven for children deprived of basic necessities such as food, clean water, and medical care while living in war zones and refugee camps.
On their return, repatriated nationals are placed in special sanatoriums where they are provided with hot food, clothing, and the services of therapists, doctors, and teachers.
Uzbekistan’s Missions
To date, Uzbekistan has successfully repatriated 531 citizens, including 331 children, 125 women, and 27 men.
The country’s initiative has been praised internationally.
Noting its focus on the interests of children and supporting the family unity and society, Ní Aoláin, a UN expert has stated that, “The Uzbek model of repatriation and reintegration provides a roadmap for other states to return their nationals from conflict zones.”
Kazakhstan’s Missions
Kazakhstan, likewise, has committed to the repatriation of its citizens from areas previously controlled by the Islamic State.
It has launched operations “Jusan” and “Rusafa”, implemented with a high level of coordination between various government agencies, including national security services, diplomats, and the military.
One of the most essential repatriations missions took place within the framework of the “Jusan” operation, started in 2019.
The name “Jusan” means bitter wormwood; native to Kazakhstan and a symbol of homesickness.
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Through this operation, hundreds of women and children were rescued from dangerous refugee camps in Syria, including the notorious Al-Hol Camp.
The humanitarian operations “Jusan” and “Rusafa” enabled the return of 725 people to Kazakhstan, including 188 women and 522 children, most of whom were under twelve years of age.
Kazakhstan’s success in such operations has been attributed to the high level of investment by the state.
On November 27, 2019, fourteen children of mothers imprisoned in Iraq were returned to Kazakhstan under Operation “Rusafa”.
Tajikistan has also made significant progress in repatriating its citizens from conflict zones.
Between 2019-2023, the country repatriated over 300 women and children from Iraq and Syria, and in April 2024, forty-seven Tajik citizens were returned from Syria.
As in other Central Asian nations, Tajikistan’s repatriation process aims to reintegrate these citizens into society and ensure their long-term well-being, and the Tajik authorities have worked closely with global partners to provide returnees with psychological, medical, and educational support.
The Kyrgyz government stopped repatriating its citizens from Iraq in March 2021 after 79 children were returned home.
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This pause was due to the Iraqi government’s refusal to release Kyrgyz women serving long term prison sentences.
Kyrgyzstan has henceforth turned its attention to the repatriation of citizens from the Al-Hol and Raj refugee camps in northeast Syria, where women and children are not forcibly detained.
On February 20, 2024, as a result of another operation, Kyrgyzstan returned 28 women and 71 children from camps in northeast Syria.
A total of 511 Kyrgyz nationals – 129 women and 382 children – have been repatriated from Syria and Iraq, and in June 2024 Kyrgyzstan returned another 8 women and 14 children from Syria.
