SYRIA DENIES REPORTS OF HANDOVER OF UYGHUR FIGHTERS TO CHINA

Mon 17 November 2025:

A Syrian foreign ministry has denied reports that Damascus has agreed to hand over hundreds of foreign fighters from China’s Muslim Uyghur minority to Beijing, as Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani made his first visit to the country.

On Monday, AFP reported anonymous government sources as saying that that Damascus had agreed to repatriate 400 Uyghur fighters to China in batches following Beijing’s request during Shaibani’s visit, sparking major concerns about their safety.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani arrived in China on Monday, 17 November, where he met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and the two ministries issued a joint statement after the meeting.

The statement said that the talks between the two sides were “constructive”, with an exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern.

It noted the two sides’ readiness to strengthen cooperation in economic and development fields, in Syria’s reconstruction, in capacity building, and in improving the living standards of Syrian citizens, while also reaffirming the fight against terrorism in all its forms and the enhancement of security coordination between the two countries.

The Chinese side praised Syria’s efforts in combating drugs, strengthening the rule of law, fighting terrorism, and protecting citizens’ rights without discrimination, and reiterated its support for Syria’s development path in line with its national circumstances, while stressing that the international community recognizes the Golan as occupied Syrian land.

China has expressed concern about the presence of Uyghur fighters in Syria, some of whom were granted high ranks in Syria’s military, including Abdul Haq al-Turkistani, the head of the Turkestan Islamic Party, and reportedly wanted to discuss the issue before proceeding with any agreements with Syria.

China has been accused of committing genocide against its Uyghur Muslim minority, sending hundreds of thousands of them to prison camps while brutally suppressing all manifestations of Uyghur culture.

There are around 3,200 and 4,000 Uyghur fighters integrated into the Syrian new army. China has strongly opposed this.

__________________________________________________________________________

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22

__________________________________________________________________________

Foreign fighters, a priority for China

China abstained from voting on a draft resolution submitted to the UN Security Council to remove the name of Syria’s transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, from the sanctions lists, justifying its position by saying that the draft did not meet the principles and considerations it deems necessary for achieving stability in Syria and combating terrorism.

China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, stated in his address to the Security Council on 6 November that China’s position on sanctions has been “clear from the outset”, and that any adjustment of the sanctions regime must take into account “the security situation in Syria, the fight against terrorism, the complex effects that could result from any change, as well as the long term interests and actual needs of the Syrian people”.

Fu added that the latest draft resolution “did not embody these principles”, which led China to abstain, despite its active participation in consultations on the text and, together with several member states, the submission of “constructive proposals” on counter terrorism and foreign fighters.

A diplomatic source told Al Jazeera Net on 6 November that China had submitted amendments proposing to also mention foreign fighters in the wording of the draft resolution.

The Chinese envoy said that Syria must fulfill its obligations in the framework of combating terrorism and take resolute measures to address terrorist acts and the threat posed by foreign fighters, including members of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) present inside Syrian territory, who are predominantly Chinese Uyghurs.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

__________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

WhatsApp CHANNEL
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22