Syria Considers Handover of Uyghur Fighters to China, Amidst Diplomatic Shift
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Syria is reportedly considering transferring jihadist fighters from China’s Uyghur minority to Beijing, a move that underscores a burgeoning diplomatic relationship and raises complex questions about the fate of foreign fighters in the war-torn nation. The potential handover, initially reported by AFP on Monday, was swiftly denied by the Syrian foreign ministry, creating a cloud of uncertainty around the claims.
A New Syria Seeks Legitimacy
Since the ousting of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad nearly a year ago, Syria’s new Islamist authorities have been actively working to distance themselves from their past associations with jihadist groups and re-establish a diplomatic presence after years of international isolation. This effort culminated in Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani’s first official visit to China on Monday, a trip that appears to have placed the issue of Uyghur fighters firmly on the agenda.
The Uyghur Fighters’ Role in the Syrian Conflict
Following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, a significant number of jihadists from China’s Uyghur Muslim minority traveled to Syria, primarily aligning themselves with the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP). The TIP operated largely in Idlib province and formed an alliance with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamist group that spearheaded the offensive which ultimately removed Assad from power.
According to a Syrian government source, the issue of these fighters was anticipated to be discussed during Shaibani’s meetings in Beijing. “Based on China’s request, Damascus intends to hand over the fighters in batches,” the source stated on condition of anonymity. China, however, has reportedly refused to allow these fighters to be integrated into the newly formed Syrian army.
A separate diplomatic source in Syria, also speaking anonymously, claimed that “Syria intends to hand over 400 Uyghur fighters to China in the coming period.” This claim was quickly refuted by a statement from the Syrian foreign ministry, released through state news agency SANA.
“AFP’s report regarding the Syrian government’s intention to hand over fighters to China is without foundation,” the source said, offering no further details.
China Expresses ‘Appreciation’ and Security Concerns
China’s foreign ministry responded to the reports with a statement emphasizing Syria’s commitment to safeguarding Chinese interests. “The Syrian side has pledged not to allow any entity to use Syrian territory to harm China’s interests,” the statement read.
China further expressed its “appreciation” and urged Syria to implement this commitment, citing the need to remove “security obstacles to the stable development of China-Syria relations.” Foreign Minister Shaibani echoed this sentiment, asserting that “Syria will not be a source of threat to China and will not allow any entities to use its territory to carry out activities that would harm China’s security, sovereignty and interests.”
Conflicting Reports on Fighter Integration
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates that between 3,200 and 4,000 Uyghur fighters remain in Syria, with a significant portion – reportedly an entire division – having been integrated into the new Syrian army. However, sources familiar with the potential handover arrangements indicate that the fighters slated for transfer to China are not among those who have joined the military.
This detail raises questions about the specific identities and affiliations of the individuals targeted for extradition.
Broader Geopolitical Context
The situation unfolds against a backdrop of shifting geopolitical alliances. Earlier this month, China abstained from a United Nations Security Council vote on a resolution to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, citing “legitimate concerns about counterterrorism issues—in particular (foreign terrorist fighters) in Syria,” according to China’s UN ambassador Fu Cong.
Following the change in power, Syria’s new authorities announced the dissolution of all armed groups, with most members absorbed into the defense ministry. In December, President Sharaa appointed former rebels, including a member of the TIP, to high-ranking positions within the army, as reported by the Observatory.
The potential handover of Uyghur fighters represents a delicate balancing act for Syria, as it seeks to rebuild international relationships while navigating complex security concerns and the legacy of a protracted civil war. The situation also highlights China’s growing influence in the region and its determination to address perceived security threats emanating from foreign fighters.
