Mujahidin Ghuroba Division
| Mujahidin Ghuroba Division | |
|---|---|
| Arabic: كتيبة الغرباء التركستانية Uyghur:كاتىبات تۈركستان | |
| Dates of operation | July 2017 — present |
| Allegiance | Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (until 2025) |
| Ideology | |
| Allies |
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| Opponents |
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| Battles and wars | Syrian Civil War |
The Mujahidin Ghuroba Division, formerly known as Katibat al-Ghuraba al-Turkistan (Arabic: كتيبة الغرباء التركستانية Uyghur: كاتىبات تۈركستان), is a predominantly Uyghur militant jihadist group based in Syria. It is likely that some members have become part of the Syrian Army's new 84th Division.
History
Syrian civil war
The group established itself in July 2017, in north-western Syria, mostly by advertising itself through YouTube propaganda videos of battle against Syrian Forces. Though unaffiliated, it has, through its YouTube videos, normally shown support to Al-Qaeda and the Al-Nusra Front. Throughout its history, it has openly shown its hatred for China and the CCP, especially the government's treatment of Uyghurs.[2][3]
In March 2018, the group expanded throughout Idlib and Hama governorate, with help from Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham.[4]
In October 2018, Katibat al-Ghuraba al-Turkistan trained with Malhama Tactical in Latakia, Syria, and uploaded a video of them doing so.[5]
In August 2021, the group expanded throughout Syria and started occupying territory including the areas of Qalb Lawze and Jabal al-Sammaq.[6]
The group was involved in the Battle of Aleppo in late November 2024 under its new name, the Mujahidin Ghuroba Division.[1]
Syrian transitional government
Following the fall of the Assad regime, the formation of the Syrian transitional government, and the integration of foreign jihadist fighters into the 84th Division, it is likely that members of the Mujahidin Ghuroba Division were also incorporated into the division, according to the FDD's Long War Journal.[7]
References
- ^ a b Roggio, Bill (12 December 2024). "Hayat Tahrir al Sham's terror network in Syria". Long War Journal. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
- ^ Kelemen, Barbara (2 September 2019). "China's changing response to militancy in Pakistan". International Institute for Strategic Studies. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ Greitens, Sheena Chestnut; Lee, Myunghee; Yazici, Emir (2020). "Counterterrorism and Preventive Repression: China's Changing Strategy in Xinjiang". International Security. 44 (3): 9–47. doi:10.1162/isec_a_00368. ISSN 0162-2889.
- ^ "New Uighur jihadist group emerges in Syria". FDD's Long War Journal. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- ^ Weiss, Caleb (5 November 2018). "Uighur jihadist group trains with elite unit". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "Katibat al-Ghuraba' al-Turkistan Scoundrels Occupying Homes in Qalb Lawze, Jabal al-Sammaq, Idlib, Syria". TRAC. 14 August 2021.
- ^ Sharawi, Bill Roggio & Ahmad (22 May 2025). "Syrian military integrates Al Qaeda-linked terror group into its ranks". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 15 October 2025.