New Study: Foreign Fighters in Syria

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Hundreds of non-Arab volunteers from Asia have joined Syrian rebels, including members of Al-Qaeda and the global Jihad.

Rebel forces in Syria, fighting against Assad’s regime, include 600-700 non-Arab volunteers from Muslim parts of Asia, militants fighting for Al-Qaeda, the global Jihad and other rebel organizations.

A new study of the foreign fighters in Syria who fight with the rebels has been published by the Israeli MALAM, the Meir Amit information center for intelligence and terror. The study goes into detail about the origin of these non-Arab foreign fighters: There are currently between 7,000 and 8,000 foreign volunteers fighting against Assad’s regime, including 700-800 non-Arabs from Muslim states in Asia. The most prominent among them are militants from Chechnya and the northern Caucasus, followed by fighters from Pakistan and Turkey. A few others come from Azerbaijan, Dagestan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kirghistan, Indonesia and other Muslim states, with a few Chinese, Indian and other nationals of non-Muslim states.

iHLS – Israel Homeland Security

The most experienced combatants among the volunteers are Chechen and Caucasian fighters connected to Al-Qaeda and the global Jihad. There are about 200-250 of these highly motivated terrorist-soldiers in Syria. The Chechen fighters are a part of a separate military organization known as the immigrant brigades, comprised of foreign volunteers. There are about 100 Pakistani fighters in Syria, some are members of the Taliban and a Sunni extremist organization called the “Army of Jhangvi”, specializing in anti-Shiite warfare. Around 200 volunteers came from Turkey, including some of Kurdish origin, who joined Al-Qaeda and the global Jihad. 100 Oigurs, Chinese Sunni Muslims, a few Indian Muslims and one volunteer from Japan also joined the fight.

Researchers believe that these foreign fighters are a potential threat to their countries of origin, to any neighboring countries and even to the West. In Syria, researchers say, these people gain combat experience and undergo a process of religious radicalization. They’re expected to go back to their countries of origin and join existing terror infrastructures, or even form new ones to fight internal and external enemies under the banner of Al-Qaeda and the global Jihad.