The Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), an al Qaeda-affiliated group, has released a set of photos and a video showing a large group of its fighters preparing for battle in northern Syria. The TIP is a predominately Uighur organization, but it also counts others in its ranks, including jihadists from Western countries.
The insurgents are currently engaged in heavy fighting against Bashar al Assad’s regime and its allies, especially in the provinces of Hama and Latakia. And the TIP’s propaganda is undoubtedly intended to boost fighter morale as significant casualties are incurred on both sides.
The TIP’s images show dozens of fighters lined up to listen to a speech from one of their leaders. They then disembark on motorbikes and small vehicles on a long, winding drive through the countryside.