China Says Syria Pledges Not to Allow Uyghur fighters to Threaten Chinese Security

Syria assures China it will prevent Uyghur fighters from using its territory to threaten Chinese security, following Assad’s ouster and the integration of foreign fighters into Syria’s military.

By Abliz Iminniyaz – Jan 23, 2026

During a daily press briefing at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed questions regarding Uyghur fighters in Syria.

An Iraqi Rudaw TV reporter asked about Syria’s stance on the return of Uyghur “jihadists” to China. Syrian Foreign Ministry official Qutaiba Idlbi previously stated that China has not made a formal request. He added that if such a request is made, Syria would respond accordingly.

Guo Jiakun replied that the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) is recognized as a terrorist organization by China and listed by the UN Security Council. He emphasized that Syria has pledged not to allow any entity to use its territory to carry out activities that could harm China’s security, sovereignty, or interests.

Chinese Foreign Ministry issued the following on its website:

Iraqi Rudaw TV reporter: Syrian Foreign Ministry official Qutaiba Idlbi stated that the Chinese government has not made a formal request to the Syrian government regarding the return of Uyghur “jihadists” to China. If China does make such a request, Syria will respond accordingly. What is the spokesperson’s comment on this?

Guo Jiakun: “East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM)” is a terrorist organization legally recognized by China and listed by the UN Security Council. Syria has pledged not to allow any entity to use Syrian territory to engage in activities that harm China’s security, sovereignty, and interests.

According to Rudaw TV, Qutaiba Idlbi, Director of American Affairs at the Syrian Foreign Ministry, told the outlet, “So far, there has been no official contact from the Chinese government regarding this matter. When we receive an official request, we will issue an official stance.”

Earlier, the Syrian government denied AFP’s report that it was planning to repatriate Uyghur fighters to China.

In December 2024, opposition forces led by the now-dissolved Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Ahmed al-Sharaa was named interim president in January 2025.

Since Assad’s fall, the presence of thousands of foreign fighters in Syria has been a major international concern, particularly for China. Uyghur fighters, mostly from the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP)—designated by Beijing as ETIM—have been integrated into Syria’s emerging military, primarily in Idlib province. Following U.S. approval, their leader, Abdulaziz Dawud Hudaberdi, was appointed brigadier general of the 84th Division.

After Assad’s collapse, TIP and other opposition groups were dissolved, with members absorbed into the Syrian defense ministry. A 2025 report by the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) estimated 3,500–4,000 Uyghur fighters in the new 84th Division, with the total Uyghur population in Syria, including families, possibly reaching 15,000.