The foreign fighters who helped topple Assad — and why China worries about them
Uyghur fighters, a Muslim ethnic minority from China, played a significant role in the rebel offensive that led to the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria in late 2024. They participated in key operations, including a tunnel ambush near Aleppo, and have since been integrated into Syria's new military structure. Despite their contributions, their presence is controversial, with China pressuring Syria to expel them over terrorism concerns.
- ▪Uyghur fighters were instrumental in the November 2024 rebel offensive that captured Aleppo and contributed to the collapse of Assad's regime.
- ▪The Uyghur unit executed a complex tunnel ambush behind enemy lines, enabling rebel forces to overwhelm Syrian government troops.
- ▪Uyghur militants have been integrated into the Syrian National Army, with some commanders appointed to the new defense ministry.
- ▪China views Uyghur militants abroad as terrorists and has increased diplomatic pressure on Syria to remove them.
- ▪The Uyghurs' role in Syria has made them one of the most battle-hardened foreign fighter groups in the conflict.
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Exclusive The foreign fighters who helped topple Assad — and why China worries about them May 17, 20265:02 AM ET Emily Feng A senior Uyghur militant stands in an olive grove in northern Syria, where Uyghur commanders say their fighters began an ultimately successful assault on Syrian regime forces in November 2024. Emily Feng/NPR hide caption toggle caption Emily Feng/NPR JISR AL-SHUGHUR, Syria — The plan was daring: Under cover of night, an elite group of forces would ambush Syrian government soldiers and cut off strategic supply lines supporting the regime-held northern city of Aleppo. For months, the fighters had been quietly clearing a disused water tunnel just over 2 miles long, deep behind enemy lines in the countryside around Aleppo.
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