UN, US Warn of Escalating Daesh Activity in Syria
The United Nations (UN) and the United States (US) have raised alarms over the increasing activities of Daesh (ISIS) in Syria, warning of potential attempts to free thousands of its fighters held in prison camps managed by Syrian-Kurdish forces, Arab News reported. The US has responded by nearly doubling its military presence in the country to stabilize the region.
Approximately 10,000 Daesh fighters and 40,000 of their family members are incarcerated in camps in northeastern Syria. Colin Clarke, head of research at the Soufan Group, highlighted the strategic importance of these facilities, stating that they house experienced fighters whose release could significantly bolster the group’s strength and recruitment efforts.
The collapse of the Assad regime has created a power vacuum, providing Daesh with an opportunity to expand its operations. US intelligence experts fear this could lead to broader instability across the Middle East. However, former US President Donald Trump has questioned the necessity of a permanent US military presence in Syria.
Despite its territorial defeat by 2020, Daesh remains a persistent threat. In 2024, the group claimed responsibility for 294 attacks, a sharp increase from 121 in 2023, according to a US Defense Department official. The UN committee monitoring Daesh estimated the group carried out around 400 attacks last year.
Prison breaks are not unprecedented. In 2022, nearly 400 individuals escaped after Daesh attacked a facility in Hasaka, requiring US intervention. A recent UN report also revealed that Daesh fighters escaped from Al-Hol, Syria’s largest prison camp, during the fall of the Assad regime.
