Latest news with #Turkish-speaking
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Foreign fighters, incl. Uyghurs, 'jihadists' may remain in Syria under new initiative
Syria is able to proceed because it enjoys increased support from the US, as well as from Turkey and Qatar, both US allies. Syria may integrate thousands of foreign fighters into its ranks under a new agreement, according to a Monday Reuters report. The development is being watched with interest in the region, as well as in the US and China. According to Levant24, a Syrian media channel, the US has given the green light to a decision that could see former fighters incorporated into Syria's new army. The Syrian army is expanding and taking shape. The 56th Division held a graduation ceremony for new trainees near Hama over the weekend. In addition, the 70th Division now includes elements of the US-backed Syrian Free Army, which had been based at Tanf in southern Syria. There are controversies surrounding some of the new army's appointments. The new commander of the 86th Division operating in Deir Ezzor is Ahmed al-Hayes, who was previously involved in human rights abuses against Kurds. Reports indicate that up to 3,500 foreign fighters—some labeled as 'jihadists'—will be integrated into the 84th Division of the new Syrian army. These fighters include Uyghurs who came to Syria as volunteers during the civil war, mainly from China and other Turkish-speaking regions. They are said to be members of the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), a group banned by China and viewed as a terrorist organization by Beijing. The reports note that TIP leader Abu Muhammad al-Turkistani was appointed brigadier general and given command of the 133rd Division in December 2024, when the new Syrian government began to take shape after the fall of the Assad regime. It should be noted that 'Abu Muhammad al-Turkistani' is a nom de guerre meaning 'father of Muhammad the Turkistani.' The reports also quoted the new US envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, as supporting this development. The New Arab, citing the Reuters report, noted that 'the US has endorsed a Syrian government plan to absorb thousands of former rebel and foreign fighters, many of whom once fought against the Assad regime, into the country's restructured national army.' The plan is expected to be transparent. This marks a shift from earlier expectations that US conditions for sanctions relief and increased engagement in Syria would require the removal of foreign extremist fighters. A key issue for these fighters is that they cannot return to China. This differs from volunteers from Turkey or Europe who joined the Syrian civil war. Since they cannot return home, any expulsion would make them another country's problem—likely Turkey's. The US does not want Turkey to bear this burden either. Barrack, who also serves as US ambassador to Turkey, is seen as supporting this approach. By integrating the fighters into the Syrian army alongside other Syrians, the plan aims to dilute their influence, moderate them, and professionalize their roles, thereby reducing their impact as a distinct unit. The New Arab report said that 'Washington [had previously demanded] that the new Syrian leadership, formed after rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) ousted Bashar al-Assad last year, bar foreign fighters from national security institutions. But that stance appears to have softened following Trump's Middle East tour last month.' Syria's government, which includes former leaders from HTS—a group previously considered extremist—has sought to retain these foreign fighters, valuing their loyalty. 'Many of these fighters arrived in Syria in the early years of the civil war, joining jihadist groups like HTS and ISIS in their battle against Assad, who was backed by Iranian and Russian forces,' The New Arab noted. They played key roles in HTS, including in its elite units. Reports estimate that as many as 5,000 foreign fighters remain in Syria, and with families included, the number could exceed 15,000. The new plan could strain Syria-China relations. However, Syria is able to proceed because it enjoys increased support from the US, as well as from Turkey and Qatar, both US allies. With US backing, Syria is less reliant on China, Russia, or other non-Western powers. This support also means that Washington has more influence in Damascus and can demand transparency regarding the integration of foreign fighters. This is one reason US officials have sought to engage with Syria. Others have urged the US to proceed more cautiously. However, Syria appears determined to move forward, and in the absence of US support, it would continue with or without American approval. US engagement gives Washington influence. For example, reports from Syria said that a border crossing with Lebanon is opening this week. Syria's state media noted that the 'General Authority for Land and Sea Ports announced Tuesday the reopening of the Al-Arida border crossing, which connects northern Lebanon to southwestern Syria, linking Tartous and Tripoli governorates.'
Euronews
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Progress made between Greek, Turkish Cypriot leaders but peace talks still distant
ADVERTISEMENT The rival leaders of ethnically divided Cyprus have made some progress towards building trust between the Greek and Turkish-speaking communities, but they still have a long way to go to formally restart stalled peace talks. In a joint statement following the UN-hosted meeting, Ersin Tatar, the leader of Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, and Nikos Christodoulides, the island's Greek Cypriot President, said they also agreed on restoring neglected cemeteries and setting up a joint group of young people from both sides of the divide to discuss issues relevant to them. The measures echoed those the two leaders agreed to pursue in a meeting with UN Secretary General António Guterres in Geneva last month that aimed to kick start a peace process that has been on hiatus for nearly eight years. Guterres said he will appoint an envoy tasked with getting formal peace talks restarted. A guard post is seen inside the UN buffer zone that divides north and south Cyprus in the divided capital Nicosia, 10 February, 2025 AP Photo The Mediterranean island of Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish forces invaded following a failed coup by supporters of a union with Greece. Only Turkey recognises the Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence, and has more than 35,000 troops stationed in the island's northern third. Although Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, only the Greek Cypriot south, where the internationally recognised government sits, enjoys full membership benefits. There was no agreement on Wednesday on two key trust-building initiatives: building solar energy parks inside sections of a 180km long UN-patrolled buffer zone that cuts across the island, or adding to the nine existing crossing points along that dividing line. Tatar said that he's hopeful "in time we will be able to achieve" progress. "My friend Nikos, he's got his own principles, I want our principles. What is important is to exchange and be positive so that we can achieve things together," Tatar said. Turkish soldiers advance during the fighting that followed the invasion and subsequent partition of Cyprus, 20 July, 1974 Anonymous/AP Christodoulides suggested Tatar was using the issue of solar energy parks to promote his vision of a partitioned Cyprus. The leaders agreed to meet again later this month. The remarks point to the wide gulf between how both sides envision a future peace settlement. Tatar and Turkey insist a two-state deal is now the only way to resolve one of the world's most intractable disputes since the "old" model — a federation made up of Greek and Turkish speaking zones — is no longer viable after decades of failure. Greek Cypriots say any deal that entrenches the island's partition is a non-starter as it contravenes long-held UN resolutions endorsing a federation. They also reject a Turkish and Turkish Cypriot demand for a permanent Turkish troop presence and military intervention rights under any accord, as well as giving the minority Turkish Cypriots veto power over all federal-level government decisions.
