Uyghur Fighters in Syria: From Tunnel Operations to Integration
An elite group of Uyghur fighters helped cut supply lines to Aleppo in a November 2024 tunnel operation, coordinated with Syria's new leader. Their community now numbers 20,000.
The Aleppo Operation
In November 2024, a select group of Uyghur fighters executed a critical tunnel operation to ambush Syrian government forces, successfully cutting off supply lines to Aleppo. The mission was coordinated with Ahmed al-Sharaa, then leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and now Syria's head of state.
The operation proved pivotal, helping to trigger the fall of Aleppo and, subsequently, Damascus in December 2024.
“All fighters in the tunnel operation survived and witnessed the liberation of Syria.” — Hobayd, Uyghur commander
Integration into Syria's Military
Uyghur fighters have now been formally integrated into Syria's reconstituted national army. Some commanders have received appointments within the defense ministry.
Syria's defense ministry has stated that Uyghurs pose no internal or external threat and that their integration serves Syrian sovereignty.
Roots of the Conflict
The Uyghurs are a Turkic, predominantly Muslim ethnic minority from China's Xinjiang region. Fighters interviewed by NPR said they left China due to alleged repression and discrimination—particularly after the July 2009 Urumqi riots.
They began moving to Syria in 2012, initially seeking military training, but were drawn into the civil war. Most affiliated with the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP), which later joined HTS.
Uyghur fighters gained a reputation for discipline and battlefield effectiveness, notably during the capture of Jisr al-Shughur in 2015.
Perspectives from Within
- Choghtal, deputy commander: "We fought because of hatred toward Chinese government policies... We hope to one day return to Xinjiang. We have no quarrel with civilians."
- Moaz, a fighter: Claimed China forced them to take up arms.
- Syria's defense ministry: Reiterated that the fighters' integration serves Syrian sovereignty.
Concerns and Tensions
- Some Syrian Arabs, especially Christians, object to the presence of foreign fighters, viewing them as conservative Sunni Muslims opposed to their way of life.
- China has increased diplomatic pressure on Syria to expel Uyghur fighters, citing concerns about "foreign terrorist fighters" and linking them to the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) .
- Uyghurs in Syria deny involvement with ETIM or any attacks on Chinese soil. Analysts note a lack of evidence linking Syrian-based Uyghurs to violence in China.
- Uyghurs have begun returning land occupied during the war in Christian villages.
Looking Ahead
Uyghur commanders say they are now focusing on self-strengthening and education, studying movements like Zionism, with an eye toward building a state.
They consider Syria a home but still view Xinjiang as their homeland.
Many expressed a desire to eventually liberate Xinjiang, though acknowledged the impracticality of attacking China now.