Syrian authorities have taken into custody several Uzbek fighters during security operations in the country’s northwest region, following armed demonstrations that erupted outside a government security building, according to two Syrian security officials.
The unrest started when officials attempted to arrest an Uzbek fighter who allegedly fired weapons in Idlib city. This sparked protests by armed Uzbek militants who gathered to demand the fighter’s release, officials and local residents reported.
The Syrian Ministry of the Interior has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.
This situation highlights the complex challenges Syria’s new Islamist-led administration faces as it works to establish government control over international jihadists who traveled to Syria during the civil conflict that began in 2011. Many of these foreign fighters served alongside or within the jihadist organization now headed by President Ahmed al Sharaa, who severed connections with al Qaeda in 2016.
Law enforcement conducted detention operations across multiple locations in Idlib’s rural areas, including Kafriya and al-Foua, focusing on Uzbek militants who took part in the demonstrations, according to local sources and officials. Military backup units and vehicle convoys were positioned around these towns in Idlib province, where residents reported hearing intermittent gunshots.
Officials have not disclosed the exact number of Uzbek fighters who were detained during the operations.
A Syrian security source previously told Reuters that approximately 1,500 Uzbek fighters remain in Syria, with some accompanied by their families.
This represents the second major clash in recent months between Syrian government troops and international militants in Idlib, following previous tensions related to a facility operated by French jihadist Omar Diaby, also called Omar Omsen, near the Turkish border in October.
Syrian leadership has been working to officially integrate many international fighters into legitimate roles, incorporating thousands into the reformed Syrian military structure. Several have taken on important government positions, including a Jordanian commander who leads the Republican Guard responsible for presidential security, and an Australian who oversees the newly created sovereign fund.
Reuters previously reported that the United States had approved Syria’s strategy to incorporate roughly 3,500 foreign militants, primarily Uyghurs from China and surrounding nations, into a new army division. U.S. officials argued that placing these fighters under official government oversight was better than allowing them to operate independently.
President Sharaa has developed strong relationships with the United States during the past year, and Damascus became part of a U.S.-led alliance against Islamic State in November.
