Uzbekistan fighters captured in Syria — Reuters
In 2025, it became known that there are approximately 1,500 Uzbekistani militants in the country, some of whom live with their families.
Syrian security forces detained Uzbek fighters during a special operation in the northwest of the country. Two Syrian security officials reported this to the Reuters news agency according to a statement.
According to sources, the incident occurred following tensions that arose in the Idlib province. Earlier, government forces attempted to apprehend an Uzbek fighter suspected of being involved in a shooting in the city of Idlib. This attempt led to protests by armed fighters, who demanded the release of the detained individual.
The situation subsequently escalated, and security raids were conducted in the Kafriya and al-Fua districts of Idlib. During the operation, Uzbek fighters who had participated in the protests and were "targeted" by security forces were detained. It was reported that military forces and equipment were deployed in the area, and sounds of gunfire were heard in some locations. The Syrian Ministry of Interior did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.
It is currently unclear how many Uzbek fighters have been detained.
According to Reuters, a Syrian security source stated last year that there were approximately 1,500 Uzbek fighters in the country, some of whom were living with their families.
This incident is being assessed as the second major confrontation between the Syrian government and foreign fighters in recent months. Previously, tensions also arose around a camp linked to French jihadist Omar Diabi (Omar Omsen) near Idlib.
In recent years, the Syrian government has been attempting to regulate the status of foreign fighters and integrate some of them into the newly forming state army. Some foreign fighters have already been appointed to high-ranking positions in security structures.
According to Reuters, the United States had previously endorsed an initiative under the Syrian plan to incorporate thousands of foreign fighters into official military structures, which was assessed as a strategy to bring them under state control.
