General Mazloum Abdi, commander of the SDF, warned that continued Turkish military assaults could lead to a resurgence of ISIS fighters in Syria. Despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, the SDF is facing escalating drone attacks and personnel shortages that jeopardize the security of ISIS detention facilities. U.S. officials reaffirmed their commitment to counter-ISIS missions while engaging in diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region amid these tensions.
In a recent exclusive interview, General Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), expressed serious concerns over the escalating Turkish military assaults on his forces, despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. General Abdi warned that sustained Turkish attacks could lead to a resurgence of ISIS, as his forces, responsible for guarding approximately 45,000 ISIS fighters and their families, face diminishing manpower due to ongoing threats. With half of his guarding forces recently withdrawn to protect their own families, the security of key ISIS detention facilities, such as the Raqqa prison harboring former ISIS fighters, has become precarious.
General Abdi highlighted that the Turkish military continues to conduct around eighty drone strikes per day that severely hinder the SDF’s counterterrorism efforts. He acknowledged that while control over prisons and camps remains, the situation is increasingly dire, urging for immediate attention to secure the region against the possible IS resurgence. The U.S. currently maintains 900 troops in the area, which may be jeopardized if the SDF retreats under Turkish military pressure.
In response to the turbulent environment, U.S. officials, including National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby, affirmed their commitment to supporting the SDF’s counter-ISIS operations while maintaining dialogue with Turkish leadership to stabilize the region. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s meetings in Turkey emphasize the necessity for all actors in Syria to uphold human rights and manage the risks associated with ISIS. General Erik Kurilla’s recent military actions demonstrate U.S. resolve to prevent ISIS from regaining strength. General Abdi cautioned that a U.S. withdrawal would create a security vacuum, potentially leaving the door open for extremist groups, predicting a grim scenario if the new Syrian government fails to comprise all ethnic and political factions, including the Kurds.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have collaborated closely with the U.S. in combating ISIS, managing numerous detention facilities that hold many of the group’s fighters. The SDF is primarily composed of Kurdish fighters, who have faced ongoing aggressions from Turkey due to the latter’s designation of Kurdish groups as terrorist organizations. Recently, tensions have escalated following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire which has failed to halt Turkish military operations, significantly impacting the SDF’s capacity to operate effectively against ISIS and exacerbating the security situation in the region. Pivotal to the situation is the historical context of the Syrian civil war, where various ethnic and religious groups vie for power amid international interventions. The stability of Eastern Syria remains critically tied to the SDF’s effectiveness, U.S. military presence, and the geopolitical maneuvers by neighboring Turkey and other actors.
In summary, the interview with General Mazloum Abdi underscores the precarious position of the SDF amid intensified Turkish assaults, posing a considerable threat to the security of ISIS detainees. The potential withdrawal of U.S. forces—should the SDF falter—raises alarming possibilities for the revival of ISIS and further destabilization within Syria. Regional stability increasingly depends on inclusive governance and international cooperation to thwart the re-emergence of extremist groups threatening peace.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
