Uyghurs of Syria: Significance for the Syrian Conflict and International Implications

• Authors: Przemysław Mazur

Title variants

PL

Ujgurzy w Syrii – znaczenie dla konfliktu syryjskiego i implikacje międzynarodowe

Abstracts

PL

Głównym celem artykułu było ustalenie, czy Ujgurzy byli istotną grupą w konflikcie syryjskim, innymi słowy – czy byli na tyle liczni, dobrze zorganizowani i zdeterminowani, by podjąć walkę z wojskami syryjskimi czy innymi aktorami niepaństwowymi lub z nimi współpracować. W artykule przeprowadzono analizę na kilku poziomach. Po pierwsze, artykuł miał na celu ustalenie, z jakich przyczyn Ujgurzy wyemigrowali do Syrii. Po drugie, oceniono ich znaczenie dla konfliktu syryjskiego, a także to, z kim współpracowali i z kim walczyli. Po trzecie, przeanalizowano, czy ich militarne i polityczne zaangażowanie może mieć wpływ na sytuację międzynarodową. Na koniec omówiono losy Ujgurów, zwłaszcza tych, którzy wyjechali do Syrii. To ostatnie zagadnienie stanowi też pytanie o Syrię, jej dalsze losy i miejsce w polityce innych państw.

EN

The main objective of the article was to determine whether the Uyghurs were a relevant group in the Syrian conflict, i.e., whether they were numerous, well-organized and determined enough to take the fight to the Syrian army or other non-state actors or cooperate with them. Several levels of analysis were carried out in this article. Firstly, article aimed to show where the Uyghurs in Syria came from. Secondly, the following section assessed their importance to the Syrian conflict, as well as who they worked with and fought against. Thirdly, it analysed whether their military and political involvement could have an impact on the international situation. Last but not least, the fate of Uyghurs, especially those who left for Syria, was discussed. The latter issue is also a question about Syria, its fate and place in the politics of other countries.

Keywords

EN

Uyghurs; Syria; terrorism; Turkey; China; ISIS; Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP)

PL

Ujgurzy; Syria; TIP; terroryzm; Turcja; Chiny; ISIS

• Publisher: Wydawnictwo Adam Marszałek
• Journal: Athenaeum. Polskie Studia Politologiczne
• Year: 2023
• Volume: 79
• Pages: 194-214

Dates

published

2023

Contributors

author

Przemysław Mazur

• University of the National Education Commission in Krakow

References

• Adamczyk, M. (2016). Problem terroryzmu islamskiego w Chinach w kontekście dążeń niepodległościowych Ujgurów. In: M. Kopczewski, & D. Sienkiewicz (Eds.). Edukacja warunkiem bezpieczeństwa w XXI w.: Służby mundurowe w systemie bezpieczeństwa publicznego (pp. 13–24). Koszalin: Centrum Szkolenia Sił Powietrznych w Koszalinie.
• Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Which Is Not Recognized by the United States as a State and Is Known as the Taliban and the United States of America. (2020, February 29). Retrieved from: https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Agreement-For-Bringing-Peace-to-Afghanistan-02.29.20.pdf.
• al-Kanj, S. (2020, November 13). How Will US Removal of Turkestan Islamic Party from Terrorism List Affect Syrian File? Retrieved from: https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2020/11/syria-uyghur-fighters-idlib-us-remove-turkestan-terrorism.html#ixzz7B4Na5BJB.
• Balzacq, T. (2011). A Theory of Securitization: Origins, Core Assumptions, and Variants. In: T. Balzacq (Ed.). Securitization Theory. How Security Problems Emerge and Dissolve (pp. 1–30). London–New York: Routledge.
• Berlie, J.A. (2004). Islam in China: Hui and Uyghurs. Between Modernization and Sinicization. Bangkok: White Lotus Co., Ltd.
• Borkowski, R. (2018). Federacja Rosyjska i Chińska Republika Ludowa wobec fundamentalizmu, separatyzmu i terroryzmu islamskiego. Krakowskie Studia Międzynarodowe, 15(2), 91–104.
• Botobekov, U. (2016, August 17). China’s Nightmare: Xinjiang Jihadists Go Global. Retrieved from: https://thediplomat.com/2016/08/chinas-nightmare-xinjiangjihadists-go-global/.
• Botobekov, U. (2017, January 27). What’s [sic!] Are China’s Stakes in Syria?. Retrieved from: https://thediplomat.com/2017/01/whats-are-chinas-stakes-in-syria/.
• Buzan, B., Wæver, O., & de. Wilde., J. (1998). Security: A New Framework for Analysis. London: Lynne Rienner Publishers.
• Caleb. (2015, January 1). More on Turkestan Islamic Party in Syria. Retrieved from: http://thelineofsteel.weebly.com/news/more-on-turkestan-islamic-party-in-syria.
• Chou, B., & Ding, X. (2015). A Comparative Analysis of Shenzhen and Kashgarin Development as Special Economic Zones. East Asia, 32(2), 117–136. DOI: 10.1007/s12140-015-9235-5.
• Clarke, C.P., & Kan, P.R. (2017, November 15). Uighur Foreign Fighters: An Underexamined Jihadist Challenge. Hague: ICCT Policy Brief. Retrieved from: https://www.icct.nl/sites/default/files/import/publication/ClarkeKan-Uighur-Foreign-Fighters-AnUnderexamined-Jihadist-Challenge-Nov-2017-1.pdf.
• Duchâtel, M. (2019, January 25). China’s Foreign Fighters Problem. Retrieved from: https://warontherocks.com/2019/01/chinas-foreign-fighters-problem/.
• Eastern Turkestan Union in Europe. (1995). Istanbul Names Park for Isa Yusuf Alptekin. East Turkistan Information Bulletin, 5(4). Retrieved from: https://caccp.freedomsherald.org/et/etib/etib5_4.html#4.
• Greer, T. (2018, September 13). 48 Ways to Get Sent to a Chinese Concentration Camp. Foreign Policy. Retrieved from: https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/09/13/48-ways-toget-sent-to-a-chinese-concentration-camp/.
• Hage Ali, M. (2016, March 2). China’s Proxy War in Syria: Revealing the Role of Uighur Fighters. Retrieved from: https://english.alarabiya.net/perspective/analysis/2016/03/02/China-s-proxy-war-in-Syria-Revealing-the-role-of-Uighur-fighters-.
• Jaremba, M. (2019). Ujgurzy – niechciani muzułmanie w Chińskiej Republice Ludowej. In: Ł. Darby Bartosik, & A. Mawer-Ratajczak (Eds.). Zjawisko migracji oraz mniejszości religijne, etniczne i narodowe – aspekty polityczne, społeczne i prawne (pp. 211–238). Poznań–Łódź: Wydawnictwo Naukowe ArchaeGraph.
• Joscelyn, T. (2016, May 7). Turkistan Islamic Party Advertises Role in Jihadist-Led Offensive in Aleppo Province. Retrieved from: https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/05/turkistan-islamic-party-advertises-spoils-from-battle-in-aleppo.php.
• Joscelyn, T. (2018, July 10). Analysis: The Turkistan Islamic Party’s Jihad in Syria. Retrieved from: https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/07/analysis-theturkistan-islamic-partys-jihad-in-syria.php.
• Joscelyn, T. (2019, June 29). Turkistan Islamic Party Musters Large Force for Battles in Syria. Retrieved from: https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2019/06/turkistanislamic-party-musters-large-force-for-battles-in-syria.php.
• Kamberi, D. (2015). Uyghurs and Uyghur Identity. Washington, D.C.: Radio Free Asia. Retrieved from: https://www.rfa.org/english/bookshelf/UyghurIdentity.pdf.
• Karmon, E. (2009). Pakistan, the Radicalization of the Jihadist Movement and the Challenge to China. Journal of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, 3(3), 14–28. DOI: 10. 1080/19370679.2009.12023134.
• Kavkazcenter. (2007, January 9). The Chinese Killed about 20 Muslims of Uyghurs. Retrieved from: https://www.kavkazcenter.com/russ/content/2007/01/09/49100/kitajtsy-ubili-okolo-20-musulman-ujgurov.shtml.
• Kavkazcenter. (2018, August 29). War with Islam: Chinese Communists Equated Islam with a Mental Illness. Retrieved from: https://www.kavkazcenter.com/russ/content/2018/08/29/117213/vojna-s-islamom-kitajskie-kommunisty-priravnyaliislam-k-psikhicheskomu-zabolevaniyu.shtml.
• Khalifa, D. (2020, February 20). The Jihadist Factor in Syria’s Idlib: A Conversation with Abu Muhammad al-Jolani. Retrieved from: https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/east-mediterranean-mena/syria/jihadist-factor-syriasidlib-conversation-abu-muhammad-al-jolani.
• Khan, A. (2021, March 4).The Uighur and Syrian Refugees Making a Home Together in Turkey. Retrieved from: https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2021/3/4/the-uighurand-syrian-refugees-making-a-home-together-in-turkey.
• Kortkamp, J. (2020, July 24). Here’s the deal with the whole, “Oh the poor oppressed Uighurs!!!” routine that people need to understand. Facebook. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/SYRIAN.SYriaRealInfosAndNews/posts/3522345547783733.
• Kozłowski, K. (2011). Państwo Środka a Nowy Jedwabny Szlak. Poradziecka Azja Centralna i Xinjiang w polityce CHRL. Toruń: Wydawnictwo Adam Marszałek.
• Lim, A.C.H. (2019). The Moving Border of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Geopolitics, 24(2), 487–502. DOI: 10.1080/14650045.2017.1379009.
• Lister, Ch. (2016, May 4). Al Qaeda Is about to Establish an Emirate in Northern Syria. Retrieved from: https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/05/04/al-qaeda-is-about-toestablish-an-emirate-in-northern-syria/.
• Ma, H., & Chang, I.J. (2021, July 16). China Is Worried about a Post-U.S. Afghanistan. Retrieved from: https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/07/16/china-us-afghanistanwithdrawal/.
• Martina, M. (2014, August 1).Imam’s Killing in China May Be Aimed at Making Muslim Uighurs Choose Sides. Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-chinaxinjiang-idUKKBN0G13R620140801?edition-redirect=uk.
• Martina, M. (2018, September 6). Afghan Troops to Train in China, Ambassador Says. Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-afghanistan/afghantroops-to-train-in-china-ambassador-says-idUSKCN1LM1MR.
• Martina, M., & Blanchard, B. (2017, March 1). Uighur IS Fighters Vow Blood Will ‘Flow in Rivers’ in China. Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideastcrisis-iraq-china-idUSKBN16848H.
• Marwan, A. (2018). Statement by the Turkistan Islamic Party Concerning the Infighting. Retrieved from: https://www.longwarjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/18-02-22-Statement-by-the-Turkistan-Islamic-Party-concerning-the-recent-recentdevelopments-in-the-Syrian-arena-%E2%80%93-translation-by-Al-Maqalaat.pdf.
• Mehsud, S., & Golovnina, M. (2014, March 14). From His Pakistan Hideout, Uighur Leader Vows Revenge on China. Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-uighurs-idUSBREA2D0PF20140314.
• Mikulska, A. (2021, June 14). Robię, co mogę, aby nie zwariować. Retrieved from: https://tygodnikpowszechny.pl/robie-co-moge-aby-nie-zwariowac-168010.
• Mouzahem, H. (2016, May 25). Uighur “Jihadis” Role in Syria War. Retrieved from: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/uighur-jihadis-role-syria-war-dr-haythammouzahem.
• New Video Message from Hizb al-Islami al-Turkistani in Bilad al-Sham: Special Interview with the Leader Shaykh Abd al-Haqq. (2016, May 28). Retrieved from: https://jihadology.net/2016/05/28/new-video-message-from-%E1%B8%A5izb-al-islamial-turkistani-in-bilad-al-sham-special-interview-with-the-leader-shaykh-abd-al- %E1%B8%A5aqq/.
• Olechowski, A.P. (2012). Czy separatyści ujgurscy mogą zagrozić bezpieczeństwu Europy. In: A. Moroska-Bonkiewicz (Ed.). Ekstremizm polityczny we współczesnym świecie. Wrocław: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Dolnośląskiej Szkoły Wyższej.
• Pantucci, R. (2018). Uyghur Terrorism in a Fractured Middle East. In: M. Clarke (Ed.). Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in China: Domestic and Foreign Policy Dimensions (pp. 157–172). Oxford: Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780190922610.003.0008.
• PLEx PAGE. (2018). Turkistan Islamic Party. Retrieved from: https://plex.page/Turkistan_Islamic_Party.
• Reed, J.T., & Raschke, D. (2010). The ETIM: China’s Islamic Militants and the Global Terrorist Threat. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, Praeger.
• RefWorld. (2012, September 28). Turkistan Islamic Party’s Abdul Shakoor Turkistani Killed in Fata Air Strike. Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved from: https://www.refworld.org/docid/506c18382.html.
• Reuters. (2009, July 10).Turkish Leader Calls Xinjiang killings “genocide”. Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-china-sb/turkish-leader-calls-xinjiangkillings-genocide-idUSTRE56957D20090710.
• Roberts, S.R. (2020a). The War on the Uyghurs: China’s Internal Campaign against a Muslim Minority. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press.
• Roberts, S.R. (2020b, November 10). Why Did the United States Take China’s Word on Supposed Uighur Terrorists?. Retrieved from: https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/11/10/why-did-the-united-states-take-chinas-word-on-supposed-uighur-terrorists/.
• Roggio, B. (2018, February 6). US Launches Airstrikes on Taliban Training Camps. Retrieved from: https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/02/us-launchesairstrikes-on-taliban-training-camps.php.
• Sageman, M. (2004). Understanding Terror Networks. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.
• Shi Jianyu, Person No. 1 of ‘East Turkestan’: ISIS Direction Is Not Our Target [「東突」一號人物：去ISIS不是我們的目的]. (2015, December 3). Retrieved from: https://theinitium.com/article/20151130-international-EastTurk/.
• SITE Intelligence Group. (2014, June 30). TIP Division in Syria Releases Photos of Fighters, Camp for Children. Retrieved from: https://news.siteintelgroup.com/JihadistNews/tip-division-in-syria-releases-photos-of-fighters-camp-for-children.html.
• Sobczak, J. (2011). Ujgurzy – lud zapomniany. In: J. Marszałek-Kawa, & R. Gawłowski (Eds.). Kulturowe uwarunkowania współczesnej Azji. Toruń: Wydawnictwo Adam Marszałek.
• Stalinsky, S. (2020, April 5).What Jihadists Are Saying about the Coronavirus. Retrieved from: https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-jihadists-are-saying-about-the-coronavirus-11586112043#_=_ac.
• Standish, R. (2021, July 20). Explainer: Why Is China Talking to the Taliban?. Retrieved from: https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/explainer-china-taliban-afghanistan/31368531.html.
• Stewart, E. (2021, January 19).The Islamic State Stopped Talking about China. Retrieved from: https://warontherocks.com/2021/01/the-islamic-state-stopped-talkingabout-uighurs/.
• Taylor, A. (2017, March 2).How Trump Could Find Common Ground with China, Thanks to the Islamic State. Retrieved from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/03/02/how-donald-trump-could-find-common-groundwith-china-thanks-to-the-islamic-state/.
• The Hindu. (2020, November 7). U.S. Removes East Turkestan Islamic Movement, Condemned by China, from Terror List. Retrieved from: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-removes-east-turkestan-islamic-movement-condemnedby-china-from-terror-list/article33046413.ece.
• Trédaniel, M., & Lee, P.K. (2018). Explaining the Chinese Framing of the “Terrorist” Violence in Xinjiang: Insights from Securitization Theory. Nationalities Papers, 46(1), 177–195. DOI: 10.1080/00905992.2017.1351427.
• US Department of State. (2020). Terrorist Exclusion List. Retrieved from: https://www.state.gov/terrorist-exclusion-list/.
• Webber, L. (2021, January 17). China, Xinjiang, and the Uyghurs in Global Jihadist Propaganda. Retrieved from: https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/china-xinjiangand-uyghurs-global-jihadist-propaganda.
• Weiss, C. [@caleb_weiss7]. (2015a, March 10).Most Recent Turkistan Islamic Party Video of Its Fighters in #Syria Shows a Rudimentary Camp. Twitter. Retrieved from: https://twitter.com/Weissenberg7/status/575158400243273728.
• Weiss, C. (2015b, April 30). Turkistan Islamic Party Had Significant Role in Recent Idlib Offensive. Retrieved from: https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/04/turkistan-islamic-party-had-significant-role-recent-idlib-offensive.php.
• Weiss, C. (2017, February 14). Uighur Jihadist Fought in Afghanistan, Killed in Syria. Retrieved from: https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/02/uighur-jihadistfought-in-afghanistan-killed-in-syria.php.
• Weiss, C. (2018, January 18). New Uighur Jihadist Group Emerges in Syria. Retrieved from: https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/01/new-uighur-jihadistgroup-emerges-in-syria.php.
• Zdanowski, J. (2005). Sinciang – „nowa rubież” Chin. Stosunki etniczno-polityczne w latach 30. XX w. In: R. Sławiński (Ed.). Nowożytna historia Chin (pp. 146–169). Kraków: Księgarnia Akademicka.
• Zenn, J. (2014, October 10). An Overview of Chinese Fighters and Anti-Chinese Militant Groups in Syria and Iraq. China Brief, 14(19), 7–10. Retrieved from: https://jamestown.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/China_Brief_Vol_14_Issue_19_4.pdf.

Identifiers

DOI

10.15804/athena.2023.79.10

Biblioteka Nauki

22435850