Kazakh Foreign Ministry receives over 20 requests for bringing citizens back from war zones in Syria, Iraq
ASTANA. Sept 24 (Interfax) - The Kazakh Foreign Ministry is actively at work to bring citizens back from war zones in Syria and Iraq, ministry spokesman Aibek Smadiyarov said at a press briefing in Astana on Monday.
"The Consular Service Department has received over 20 statements from families and citizens staying in the conflict zones, such as Syria and Iraq, requesting assistance in their return home," Smadiyarov said.
The ministry is taking the effort together with other government agencies, he said.
"The Foreign Ministry and other government agencies are working and taking efforts for the return of our citizens. We are considering every possibility of their return. The issue is not under the sole jurisdiction of the Foreign Ministry; we are working together with law enforcement agencies," Smadiyarov said.
Twenty-two citizens of Kazakhstan, including 21 women married to Syrians and a man who went there for work, are officially registered with the Consular Service in Syria, he said.
"We cannot confirm information about unregistered persons. We are working on it," Smadiyarov said.