Turkistan Islamic Party: From Syria's Battlefields to China's Crosshairs

The Turkistan Islamic Party, once obscure, now openly fights for East Turkistan's independence from China.

### Uyghur Fighters in Syria: Targeting China Next
* 🗺️ The Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), previously obscure, gained prominence fighting alongside rebels in Syria against Assad's forces.
* ⚔️  TIP, founded in the 1990s, has operated in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and for the last decade, Syria, building a significant fighting force.
* 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦  Many TIP members are Uyghur Muslims who fled China due to **severe oppression and human rights abuses**, including forced re-education camps.
* 💥 TIP's propaganda highlights grievances against China, including the 1990 Baren Uprising where "thousands were killed".
* 📍 After their success in Syria, TIP has declared **China as their next target**, aiming for the independence of East Turkistan.
* 🪖  Taking on China's massive military is a challenge, but TIP could target Chinese interests abroad.
* ⚖️ China will likely seek the extradition of TIP members, posing a challenge to the new Syrian government's relations with Beijing.
* 🤔 TIP's exact strength remains unclear, but its emergence from the shadows presents a significant new challenge.

[Music] Turkistan Islamic Party, a secretive force that some thought was virtually non-existent, now rising to prominence as

part of the rebel coalition that toppled Assad in Syria. They've released a series of propaganda videos showing step-by-step

preparations for what became the final successful push, fighting on the front lines against Assad's forces, firing off a rocket near the city

of al-Sukhna. Explosive gun battles, entering Latakia, a strategic port city, then victory, rolling in on tanks, cheered by the

public. TIP was founded in the 1990s with a footprint in Afghanistan and Pakistan. For the last decade, they've been based

in Syria. Their field commander, Abu Muhammad, also known as Zahid, years ago, TIP members escaped from

China where they faced severe oppression and human rights abuses. Often they fled with their families. Since then, they've set up

villages and training camps in Syria, made inroads with militant groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which led the recent

offensive, and built a vast fighting force. After Syria, now China, TIP has always been clear: the end goal,

independence, to liberate their homeland of East Turkistan from the Chinese occupiers. TIP fighters are mostly Uyghur

Muslims. Uyghurs as a whole have faced decades of persecution under the Chinese Communist Party. More than a million people forced

into re-education camps, thousands imprisoned for praying and fasting—what Beijing considers horrific crimes. TIP propaganda highlights

grievances against the Chinese state: the 1990 Baren Uprising, when anti-government protesters were all shot by soldiers.

Many, possibly thousands, were killed; the real death toll unknown because the government covered it up. The Chinese Communist Party rules with an

iron fist, a zero-tolerance policy for anyone who dares to challenge the state. For TIP, fighting alongside others in

Syria was just the first step, and China the final target. To take the fight to China, home to the

world's largest military with 2 million active troops, it's easier said than done. Still, TIP could target Chinese projects or

embassies abroad. China is very likely to push for the extradition of TIP members. This will be a key point for the new

Syrian government in building relations with Beijing. A founding principle of HTS was to protect foreign fighters that joined

the insurgency. In exchange, they had to promise not to use Syria as a launchpad for attacks.

[Music] Elsewhere, it's unclear how strong TIP really is in terms of numbers and firepower. What happens next remains to

be seen. Either way, TIP is no longer in the shadows.

Uyghur fighters in Syria vow to come for China next

The Telegraph

Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) and its rise in Syria

TIP, previously considered insignificant, gained prominence within the Syrian rebel coalition.

Propaganda videos showcased TIP's involvement in the fight against Assad's forces.

TIP, founded in the 1990s, has operated in Syria for the last decade.

Many TIP members escaped China due to oppression and human rights abuses.

TIP established villages, training camps, and alliances with groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria.

TIP's ultimate goal is the independence and liberation of East Turkistan from Chinese rule.

TIP fighters are primarily Uyghur Muslims, a group facing persecution under the Chinese Communist Party.

The Chinese government's actions include forcing over a million into re-education camps and imprisoning thousands for religious practices.

TIP propaganda highlights grievances such as the 1990 Baren Uprising, where protesters were killed by soldiers.

Syria was a first step; China is the ultimate target for TIP.

Targeting China's large military presents significant challenges.

TIP might target Chinese projects or embassies abroad.

China will likely seek the extradition of TIP members, impacting Syrian-Chinese relations.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's founding principle was to protect foreign fighters, but they were prohibited from using Syria as a launchpad for attacks.

TIP's strength and future actions remain unclear.