The United States has endorsed a Syrian plan to incorporate approximately 3,500 former foreign jihadist fighters into the national army—just as it prepares to dramatically reduce its military footprint in the country. The policy shift was announced by U.S. Special Envoy Thomas Barrack, and is contingent upon a transparent integration process. These fighters, primarily Uyghurs from China and neighboring countries, are set to join the newly established 84th division of the Syrian army, which will also include Syrian nationals.
U.S. Special Envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, appointed by President Trump, stated that the decision aims to prevent further radicalization by providing these individuals with a structured role within the state’s military framework. “It’s better to keep the fighters, many of whom are very loyal to Syria’s new administration, within a state project than to exclude them,” Barrack noted.
The integration plan has raised concerns, particularly from China, given the involvement of Uyghur fighters associated with the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), a group designated as a terrorist organization by Beijing. However, TIP officials have claimed the group has dissolved and now operates under Syria’s Ministry of Defense.
In parallel, the United States announced a strategic reduction of its military presence in Syria, scaling down from eight bases to a single installation. Barrack acknowledged that previous strategies “did not work” over the past century. The U.S. currently maintains approximately 2,000 troops in Syria, primarily focused on preventing the resurgence of Islamic State forces.
