Uyghur fighters, having participated in the Syrian conflict for a decade, express their intention to return to China and continue their jihad against the Chinese government. Despite potential Syrian citizenship offers, their primary goal remains fighting in China.
The encounter took place near the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, where a group of Central Asian-looking gunmen, identifying themselves as Uyghurs from ‘East Turkistan,’ were observed. Their Arabic was limited, but they spoke fluently in Turkish. The eldest fighter, appearing younger than his stated age, claimed to have fought in Idlib for ten years. While they state they may be granted Syrian citizenship, they plan to return to China to wage jihad.
This situation highlights the potential for the export of jihad, where fighters who gain experience in conflict zones like Syria, may take that experience and training to other regions. The Uyghur fighters' stated intentions present a concerning prospect for increased conflict in China.
By the gates of the great 8th-century Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, a group of Central Asian-looking gunmen stand in the uniform of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). It is unclear whether they are visiting or guarding. When I approach, they say they are from ‘East Turkistan’, referring to the Uyghur part of China. Their Arabic is hardly comprehensible, but when I ask in Turkish they speak more fluently.
‘We have been waging jihad in the north in Idlib for ten years,’ the eldest says in a low voice. He looks ten years younger than the age he gives. ‘With the permission of God, we prevailed over the Assad regime. They say we’ll get Syrian citizenship. But we do not want to stay here. God willing, we’ll go and wage jihad against China. We’ll end the misery of our Muslim brothers there.’ He does not want to be photographed but asks me to pray for him and his struggle. The word jihad means ‘struggle’ in Arabic.
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