France 24 Examines Integration of Uyghur Fighters Into Syria's Armed Forces

Several factions of foreign fighters have been credited with helping topple the government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria nearly two years ago, among them Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim, Turkic ethnic minority from Central Asia and China's Xinjiang region, according to France 24.

Uyghur fighters eventually became one of the largest contingents of foreign fighters in Syria. Those who have remained and built lives in the country are described as notoriously secretive about their presence and activities.

France 24 correspondent Wassim Nasr reportedly gained exclusive access to Uyghur fighters during a recent visit to Syria, offering a rare look at their integration into the country's armed forces.

The available reporting does not detail the specific units or roles Uyghur fighters currently hold within Syria's security structures, nor does it address how authorities in China have responded to reports of their activities.