The Xi Jinping-led Chinese government has expressed concern over the appointment of Uyghur fighters to high-ranking military positions such as Brigadier General and Colonel in Syria. Notably, these are the fighters associated with the separatist organization “Turkistan Islamic Party” (TIP) from China’s Uyghur Muslim-majority region, Xinjiang.
“China is concerned about reports suggesting that foreign fighters have been appointed to high-ranking positions in the Syrian army. These include fighters allegedly associated with the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) or the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP),” China’s representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, said on Wednesday.
Syria appoints 6 foreign fighters to top military positions
Reuters had earlier reported that the new appointments were made to 50 top military positions in Syria, six of which were given to foreigners. Among these were three Uyghur fighters associated with the TIP (Turkistan Islamic Party). One of them, Dawood Khudabardi, also known as Zahid, was appointed as a Brigadier General, while two others, Mawlan Tarsoon Abdussamad and Abdulsalam Yasin Ahmed, were given the rank of Colonel.
Following the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Al-Julani assumed power in Syria. After taking control, Al-Julani called on all rebel groups’ fighters to surrender and join the military.
What is the East Turkistan Islamic Movement?
The East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) is a separatist organization based in China’s Uyghur province. Also known as the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), the group aims to establish an independent Islamic state called East Turkistan in the Xinjiang region, which is a Uyghur Muslim-majority province in China.
Founded in 1997 by Hasan Mahsum in Pakistan, ETIM has been accused of carrying out murders, bombings, and terrorist activities in China and Xinjiang. Hasan Mahsum was influenced by the Afghan Mujahideen who had fought against the Soviet Union.
