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Chionites (OIONO/Xiyon/西戎/Hiun/Hion) became noted around 320 CE when they began to encroach upon Khorasan and the frontiers of the Kushan state. They arrived there as refugees from when Jin Zhun's coup overthrew Liu Can. This was when their state known in Chinese sources as Bei Han was replaced by the Former Zhao. In Transoxiana they became better known as Kidarites from 360 AD after their leader Kidara of the Yuezhi "Ki" clan established their only recorded dynasty. After their union with the Uar (Chinese: 滑) "White Huns", these Red Desert Huns (hence their alternative name: Red Huns) under the Yuezhi Haital elite pushed into India where they became known as the "White" (Sanskrit: Sveta) Hunas.

Chionite campaigns are linked to a number of events of the political history of Central Asia during the second half of the 4th century AD until the mid 5th century AD. They fought against the Sassanians, and early 5th century Chionite (OIONO) coins imitate Sassanian drachmas.

Victories of Karakum Chionites during their campaigns in the Eastern Caspian lands are described by Ammianus Marcellinus: "Their new king Grumbat was already famous for "many victories". But notwithstanding the victories, the Chionites could not create a state union of some stability" .

Kidarites expanded westward between 473 AD and 479 AD after the Hephthalites conquered Sogdiana.

See also

• Kidarite Kingdom
• Alchoni
• Hunas

• History of Afghanistan
• Eurasian nomads
• Huns