From Foreign Policy · Emily Feng · · 3m
Uyghur Militants in Syria's Civil War
Uyghur fighters trained in Syria after Chinese repression in Xinjiang.
In brief
Uyghur fighters trained in Syria after Chinese repression in Xinjiang. Uyghur militants fled Xinjiang's repression in 2009 and trained in Syria's civil war to build their own state. Originally reported by Foreign Policy.
Uyghur unrest in Xinjiang
In July 2009, Uyghur workers at a Guangdong toy factory faced false rumors of violence and rape, sparking a brawl that injured over 120 people, mostly Uyghurs.
Uyghur protests in Urumqi
Uyghurs gathered in Urumqi demanding an investigation into the deaths, but police dispersed them, sparking days of violence between Han and Uyghur groups.
Chinese government response
The Chinese government reported 192 deaths, two-thirds Han, with over 1,000 injured, though rights groups questioned the official death toll.
Uyghur detention and repression
Thousands of Uyghurs were detained by state security forces and disappeared, with regional authorities increasing surveillance and restricting internet access in Xinjiang.
Choghtal's escape
Choghtal, a 36-year-old Uyghur, fled Xinjiang in 2009 after witnessing violence and the disappearance of his family members, seeking refuge in Turkey.
Uyghur fighters in Syria
Uyghur fighters arrived in Syria in 2012 to train in the civil war, forming their own militia under the Turkestan Islamic Party.
Syrian training ground
In northern Syria, Uyghur fighters trained for three months under Syrian and Uyghur militant fighters, learning combat tactics in the middle of active conflict.
Uyghur community in Idlib
Uyghurs established a community in Idlib with social services for women and children, aiming to prevent fighters from joining extremist groups like ISIS.
Islamic State threat
By 2014, the Islamic State recruited Uyghurs for years but most rejected their ideology, fearing violence against civilians and fellow Muslims.
Uyghur-Syrian alliance
Uyghurs allied with Jabhat al-Nusra against the Islamic State, but internal conflicts led to some fighters being labeled infidels by their own families.
Uyghur decision to join rebels
In 2015, Uyghurs chose to join the rebel side after the Assad regime threatened their base in Jisr al-Shughur, forcing them to abandon Syria.
Uyghur cemetery in Syria
A cemetery in northern Syria honors Uyghur fighters killed in the civil war, with one fighter saying they feel proud of their sacrifice.
Uyghur militia in Syria
Uyghur fighters in Syria formed their own militia, aiming to create a nation rather than a caliphate, with no direct conflict with the Syrian government.
Uyghur fighters' perspective
Uyghur fighters described the Islamic State as too fundamentalist, killing civilians and fellow Muslims, which led to internal conflicts among Uyghur groups.
Uyghur state-building
Uyghurs in Syria focused on building a state for their people, creating communities with social services to prevent further radicalization.
Uyghur sacrifice
Uyghur fighters in Syria sacrificed their lives to create a homeland, with one fighter saying they feel proud of their sacrifice.
In short
Uyghur militants fled Xinjiang's repression in 2009 and trained in Syria's civil war to build their own state.
