Chaos in post-Assad Syria fuels Islamic State revival fears
The situation in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime is conducive to the return of the Islamic State. According to the BBC, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, warns of increased IS activity and the threat of prisoners being freed.
Chaos in Syria after Assad's regime collapse creates favorable conditions for the return of the Islamic State. Commander Mazloum Abdi highlighted in an interview with the BBC that IS activity has increased. "Activity by Daesh [IS] has increased significantly, and the danger of a resurgence had doubled," the Kurdish general warned.
He pointed out that there are more opportunities for this resurgence. This may be facilitated by the fact that the militants have taken over some of the weapons left behind by the Syrian army.
According to Abdi, there is a real threat that IS will attempt to free about 10,000 of its members from prisons in northeastern Syria. About 50,000 of their family members are also in internment camps.
Intelligence reports indicate that Islamic State militants have acquired some of the weapons and ammunition left by the Syrian regime's forces.
The general stressed that the Turkish offensive contributes to the revival of IS. Ankara views the People's Protection Units in Syria as an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), whose militants have fought the Turkish state for 40 years. Turkey and the armed groups it supports are attacking the area of the Kurdish city of Kobane.
The SDF has had to divert some forces for defense, interrupting anti-terrorism operations targeting IS. Many prison guards have returned home to defend their villages, the BBC explains.
"The number one threat is now Turkey because its airstrikes are killing our forces. These attacks must stop, because they are distracting us from focusing on the security of the detention centers," said General Abdi.
The risk of IS returning was also discussed by Iraq's Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, in a conversation with Hamish Falconer, the UK government's Minister for the Middle East and North Africa. The situation in the prisons and on the front may affect security in both Syria and Iraq, he warned.
Syria has been the scene of a bitter conflict for years. Bashar al-Assad, after nearly 24 years of rule, was forced to leave Damascus. He described his escape to Moscow in his statement as a decision made under pressure.
Assad spoke of an "intensified drone attack" that forced his evacuation. He left the country in chaos, confirmed by a series of riots and attacks that occurred right after his departure.
