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Young Kosovo Boy Returns Home After Being Taken To Syria


Pranvera Abazi, reunited with her son, Erion Zena, who was in Syria with his father.
Pranvera Abazi, reunited with her son, Erion Zena, who was in Syria with his father.

PRISTINA -- An 8-year-old boy whose father had taken with him to Syria has returned to Kosovo.

Erion Zena's mother, Pranvera Abazi, confirmed to RFE/RL's Kosovo Unit that her son had returned home, without providing further details.

According to the mother, Erion was taken by his father, Arben, in July when he joined the Islamic State extremist group in Syria.

Kosovo's President Atifete Jahjaga praised the work of Kosovo's Intelligence Agency, which made it possible for Erion to return.

No details have been made public about the operation to bring back the young boy, and there is no information on the whereabouts of his father.

Kosovar officials say between 100 and 200 ethnic Albanians have joined Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq. At least 16 have been killed.

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