From weapons to wasabi: Russian fighter opens first sushi restaurant in rebel-held Syria

Islam Shakhbanov, a militant from Russia who came to Syria to “join in the jihad” or holy war in 2015, has opened a small sushi restaurant in Syria’s last main rebel-held bastion. Since the Damascus government has been regaining control of most of the country, Shakhabanov and other jihadists have been searching for alternative ways to earn money. Shakhbanov said that despite opening his restaurant called Sushi Idlib, he has not given up on fighting in the jihad and is ready to return to the front lines if needed.