QURHGON TEPPA, January 21, 2015, Asia-Plus -- Two residents of Qurghon Teppa are fighting on the side of antigovernment forces in Syria, Qurghon Teppa Mayor Amirullo Asadullo told journalists in Qurghon Teppa, the capital of the southern Khatlon province  on January 21.

According to him, the main reasons why Tajik youth join extremist groups are shortage of jobs and weak agitation work among youth.

Asadullo pointed to the necessity of closely working with the population on preventing local youth from joining extremist organizations.

It is to be noted that the Tajik law enforcement agencies have given differing reports on the numbers of Tajik nationals fighting in Syria and Iraq.  Thus, the Interior Ministry said that around 200 Tajik nationals are fighting gin Syria and Iraq.  However, the State Committee for the National Security (SCNS) said in November 2014 that there are around 300 Tajik citizens fighting in Syria and Iraq.