Katibat al-Ghuraba al-Turkistan
| Katibat al-Ghuraba al-Turkistan | |
|---|---|
| Arabic: كتيبة الغرباء التركستانية Uyghur:كاتىبات تۈركستان | |
| Dates of operation | July 2017—Present |
| Allegiance | Hayat Tahrir al-Sham |
| Ideology | |
| Allies |
|
| Opponents | |
| Battles and wars | Syrian Civil War |
Katibat al-Ghuraba al-Turkistan (Arabic: كتيبة الغرباء التركستانية, Uyghur: كاتىبات تۈركستان) is a predominantly Uyghur militant jihadist group based in Syria.
History
[edit ]The group established itself in July 2017, in north-western Syria, mostly by advertising itself through YouTube propaganda videos of battle against Syrian Forces. Though unaffiliated, it has, through its YouTube videos, normally shown support to Al-Qaeda and the Al-Nusra Front. Throughout its history, it has openly shown its hatred for China and the CCP, especially the government's treatment of Uyghurs.[2] [3]
In March 2018, the group expanded throughout Idlib and Hama governorate, with help from Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham.[4]
In October 2018, Katibat al-Ghuraba al-Turkistan trained with Malhama Tactical in Latakia, Syria, and uploaded a video of them doing so.[5]
In August 2021, the group expanded throughout Syria and started occupying territory including the areas of Qalb Lawze and Jabal al-Sammaq.[6]
References
[edit ]- ^ Roggio, Bill (12 December 2024). "Hayat Tahrir al Sham's terror network in Syria". Long War Journal . Retrieved 30 December 2024.
- ^ Kelemen, Barbara (2 September 2019). "China's changing response to militancy in Pakistan". International Institute for Strategic Studies . Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ Greitens, Sheena Chestnut; Lee, Myunghee; Yazici, Emir (2020). "Counterterrorism and Preventive Repression: China's Changing Strategy in Xinjiang". International Security. 44 (3): 9–47. doi:10.1162/isec_a_00368 . ISSN 0162-2889.
- ^ "New Uighur jihadist group emerges in Syria". FDD's Long War Journal . 18 January 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- ^ Weiss, Caleb (5 November 2018). "Uighur jihadist group trains with elite unit". FDD's Long War Journal . Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "Katibat al-Ghuraba' al-Turkistan Scoundrels Occupying Homes in Qalb Lawze, Jabal al-Sammaq, Idlib, Syria". TRAC. 14 August 2021.