What motivated Chinese-born Uyghers to fight in Syria's civil war

NPR | By Emily Feng,

Nishant Dahiya, Hannah Bloch

Published May 17, 2026 at 5:45 PM EDT

Thousands of Chinese-born Uyghur fighters fled China to fight in the Syrian civil war. They say generations of political persecution in China motivated them to take up arms.

Tags

NPR

Emily Feng

Emily Feng is NPR's Beijing correspondent.

See stories by Emily Feng

Nishant Dahiya

Hannah Bloch

Hannah Bloch is lead digital editor on NPR's international desk, overseeing the work of NPR correspondents and freelance journalists around the world.

See stories by Hannah Bloch

Recent Stories

WRVO is at a critical moment.

Recent cuts to federal funding are challenging our mission to serve central and upstate New York with trusted journalism, vital local coverage, and the diverse programming that informs and connects our communities. This is the moment to join our community of supporters and help keep journalists on the ground, asking hard questions that matter to our region.

Stand with public media and make your gift today—not just for yourself, but for all who depend on WRVO as a trusted resource and civic cornerstone in central and upstate New York.

Support WRVO now