Amid increasing Turkish military pressure and a resurgence of Islamic State activity, Kurdish leaders warn that the threat of IS has returned to Syria, straining resources and causing civilian anxiety.
Rising Threats in Syria: Kurdish Leaders Sound Alarm Over IS Resurgence
Rising Threats in Syria: Kurdish Leaders Sound Alarm Over IS Resurgence
Kurdish commander warns of looming dangers as Turkish-backed forces distract from IS containment and unrest grows in northeastern Syria.
The doors are open for IS - Syria's Kurds warn over advance by Turkish-backed forces. The ongoing turmoil in Syria, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, has led to a precarious situation where past adversaries are re-emerging. General Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), highlighted a significant uptick in the activities of the Islamic State (IS) since the regime’s collapse, stating, "the danger of a resurgence has doubled."
Sources indicate that IS operatives have captured weapons abandoned by retreating Syrian regime troops. With the SDF currently diverting resources in defense against constant Turkish attacks, there is deep concern over the potential for a successful assault on SDF-run prisons, which hold thousands of IS prisoners along with their families in camps.
Having endured considerable losses of both men and resources, General Abdi expressed frustration at having to revisit confrontations with IS fighters, stating "We paid 12,000 souls." The SDF’s current focus on guarding its territory from Turkey’s airstrikes compromises its anti-IS operations, limiting their ability to maintain security within detention centers.
We gained insight into the state of Al-Sina prison, which currently houses around 5,000 suspected IS affiliates. During our access, stringent security measures were evident, as guards remained heavily alert. Detainees, including one Australian man who claimed to have been an NGO worker, expressed uncertainty about their future, hinting at the complex emotions tied to their predicament.
Life outside the prison is equally fraught with tension, particularly in the Roj camp housing families of IS members. Saida Temirbulatova and her son are amongst those hoping for freedom post-Assad's regime, though conflicting opinions exist within the camp on the potential return of IS. Reports suggest that women and children in Roj are preparing for a resurgence of IS ideology, with some even affirming that IS could lead their liberation.
Local civilians, like 24-year-old Jewan, are also feeling the heat. He expressed the fear that the situation could spiral further into chaos, saying, "The doors are open for IS. They can attack their jails... we are all living in a state of constant fear." As tensions rise and doubts linger about international intervention, the climate remains one of uncertainty, with the potential for violent re-entries into a conflict that many hoped was receding.
Sources indicate that IS operatives have captured weapons abandoned by retreating Syrian regime troops. With the SDF currently diverting resources in defense against constant Turkish attacks, there is deep concern over the potential for a successful assault on SDF-run prisons, which hold thousands of IS prisoners along with their families in camps.
Having endured considerable losses of both men and resources, General Abdi expressed frustration at having to revisit confrontations with IS fighters, stating "We paid 12,000 souls." The SDF’s current focus on guarding its territory from Turkey’s airstrikes compromises its anti-IS operations, limiting their ability to maintain security within detention centers.
We gained insight into the state of Al-Sina prison, which currently houses around 5,000 suspected IS affiliates. During our access, stringent security measures were evident, as guards remained heavily alert. Detainees, including one Australian man who claimed to have been an NGO worker, expressed uncertainty about their future, hinting at the complex emotions tied to their predicament.
Life outside the prison is equally fraught with tension, particularly in the Roj camp housing families of IS members. Saida Temirbulatova and her son are amongst those hoping for freedom post-Assad's regime, though conflicting opinions exist within the camp on the potential return of IS. Reports suggest that women and children in Roj are preparing for a resurgence of IS ideology, with some even affirming that IS could lead their liberation.
Local civilians, like 24-year-old Jewan, are also feeling the heat. He expressed the fear that the situation could spiral further into chaos, saying, "The doors are open for IS. They can attack their jails... we are all living in a state of constant fear." As tensions rise and doubts linger about international intervention, the climate remains one of uncertainty, with the potential for violent re-entries into a conflict that many hoped was receding.
