14 Facts About Osman Batur

Osman Batur known mononymously as Osman was a Kazakh military leader active in the Altai Mountains.

Osman Batur led a personal army of fellow Kazakhs and fought alongside the Soviet-backed Second East Turkestan Republic, before defecting to the Nationalist forces of the Republic of China.

Osman Batur was the son of Islam Bey, a middle-class farmer.

In 1940, Osman Batur became one of the leaders of the Kazakh uprising in the Altay district against Soviet-aligned governor Sheng Shicai.

When Sheng aligned himself with the Kuomintang government, Stalin, although wary of Osman Batur, decided to assist the rebellion in order expand Soviet influence in Xinjiang.

Osman Batur later joined the Soviet-backed Second East Turkestan Republic.

Osman Batur was appointed by the ETR government as governor of the Altay District.

In particular, when the ETR army suspended military operations against the Kuomintang troops, Osman Batur's troops intensified their activities.

Osman Batur rebelled against the ETR and began plans to create an Altay Khanate, free of Soviet or Chinese influence, hoping for support from Mongolia.

Osman Batur continued supporting the Kuomintang government, receiving reinforcements and supplies.

Osman Batur fought in the Altay District against the troops of the East Turkestan Republic, but was defeated and fled east.

The Chinese Communists took control of Xinjiang in 1949, with Osman Batur continuing his campaign against the People's Liberation Army.

Osman Batur was captured in Qinghai and executed in Urumqi on April 29,1951.

Osman Batur was enshrined in the National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine in Taipei in 1981.