US approves Syria’s plan to integrate foreign jihadist ex-rebels, including Uyghurs from China, into its army

US approves Syria’s plan to integrate foreign jihadist ex-rebels, including Uyghurs from China, into its army
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The United States has approved a plan by Syria’s new leadership to integrate approximately 3,500 foreign jihadist ex-rebels, mainly Uyghurs from China and neighboring countries, into the Syrian national army, The Jerusalem Post reported. These fighters will be part of a newly formed unit, the 84th Syrian army division, which will also include Syrian personnel.

Thomas Barrack, US ambassador to Turkey and President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Syria, confirmed Washington’s conditional approval, emphasizing the need for transparency in the integration process. He noted that many of these fighters are “very loyal” to Syria’s new administration and argued it is preferable to include them in a state-controlled framework rather than exclude them.

The move marks a significant shift in US policy, which previously demanded the exclusion of foreign fighters from Syria’s security forces. This change follows Trump’s recent Middle East tour, during which he met Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and agreed to lift Assad-era sanctions, signaling a new approach to Syria’s post-conflict stabilization efforts.