Uzbek fighters detained in Syria

Syrian security forces detained a group of Uzbek fighters during a raid in the country’s northwest. This was reported by Reuters.

Officials and local residents said tensions began after an attempt to detain an Uzbek fighter accused of opening fire in the city of Idlib. Armed Uzbek fighters then staged a protest demanding his release. The dispute escalated into demonstrations outside a government security office.

According to Syria’s Interior Ministry, local residents and officials, security forces carried out raids in several locations in rural Idlib province, including the towns of Kafriya and al-Fua, targeting Uzbek fighters who had taken part in the protest. Additional troops and military equipment were sent to the areas, while sporadic gunfire was heard in some places.

It remains unclear how many Uzbek fighters were detained. According to reports, there were around 1,500 Uzbek fighters in Syria in 2025, some of whom live there with their families.

The incident marks the second clash in recent months between Syrian government forces and foreign fighters in the Idlib area. A similar incident occurred in October 2025 near the Turkish border, when tensions arose around a camp led by French national Omar Diaby, also known as Omar Omsen.

The Syrian government is seeking to formalize the status of foreign fighters and has integrated thousands of them into the new Syrian army. Some have even taken senior state positions. For example, a Jordanian fighter commands the Republican Guard responsible for protecting the president, while an Australian heads a newly established sovereign fund.