How the Islamic State is exploiting Asian unrest to recruit fighters - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Metin Gurcan

Metin Gurcan

Sep 8, 2015

Policewomen from Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team run in formation during a graduation performance after training as members of an anti-terrorist patrol team, in Hami, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region June 29, 2014. Picture taken June 29, 2014. REUTERS/China Daily (CHINA - Tags: MILITARY CRIME LAW) CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA - RTR3WKJW — Policewomen from the Special Weapons and Tactics team run in formation during a graduation performance after training as members of an anti-terrorist patrol team, in Hami, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, June 29, 2014. — REUTERS

Conflicts in Iraq and Syria have produced a significant number of extremists in Central Asia and Xinjiang, providing prime recruiting targets for the Islamic State (IS) and other terrorist groups.

Intelligence sources in Ankara estimate at least 1,500 recruits from Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan) and Xinjiang (a Uighur autonomous region of northwest China) are already fighting for IS in Syria and Iraq.

Chinese paramilitary police in riot gear guard the entrance of the Dong Kuruk Bridge mosque in the centre of the city of Urumqi in China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region July 10, 2009. The passionate anger of the weekend riots, that killed around 150 people, gave way to cold bitterness on both sides of the ethnic divide in China's strife-torn Muslim region of Xinjiang on Thursday, and was likely to last long after the troops go. REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA CONFLICT MILITARY POLITICS IMAGES OF THE DAY) - R

Oppressed by China, Uighurs drawn to Salafist ideas

Metin Gurcan

Metin Gurcan

Uighur refugee women walk where they are housed in a gated complex in the central city of Kayseri, Turkey, February 11, 2015. Thousands of members of China's Turkic language-speaking Muslim ethnic minority have reached Turkey, mostly since last year, infuriating Beijing, which accuses Ankara of helping its citizens flee unlawfully. Turkish officials deny playing any direct role in assisting the flight. Picture taken February 11, 2015. To match Insight TURKEY-CHINA/UIGHURS REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTX1LZ2I

Turkey's tough stance on Uighurs has implications for Syria

Fehim Tastekin

Fehim Tastekin

In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics

Relatives react at the funeral of Ayhan Arik, a victim of an attack by a gunman at Reina nightclub, in Istanbul, Turkey, January 1, 2017. REUTERS/Osman Orsal TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX2X4WI

'Devotees of Death' headed for Turkey

Metin Gurcan

Metin Gurcan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and China's President Xi Jinping inspect an honour guard during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, July 2, 2019. Picture taken July 2, 2019. Roman Pilipey/Pool via REUTERS - RC17B3CEB130

Improved Turkish-Chinese ties come at a cost to Uighurs

Pinar Tremblay

Pinar Tremblay