In the aftermath of the upheaval in Syria, ISIS is gradually regaining its foothold amidst the remnants of Bashar al-Assad's former regime.
This resurgence is occurring despite the group's diminished power compared to its peak in the 2010s.
According to The New York Times, the terrorist organization has intensified its attacks, with a particular focus on liberating its fighters from detention facilities across Syria. These prisons currently hold between 9,000 and 10,000 ISIS combatants, along with approximately 40,000 family members in the northeastern region of the country.
As reported by the Daily Caller, the fall of Assad's regime came at the hands of the Islamic group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in December 2024, with support from some Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) forces. In the wake of this power shift, a provisional government emerged from the ranks of the rebel leadership.
An anonymous U.S. defense department official revealed to The New York Times that ISIS has claimed responsibility for 294 attacks in 2024, a significant increase from the 121 attacks in 2023. The United Nations Islamic State monitoring committee estimates the number of attacks to be around 400, with some observers in Syria suggesting even higher figures.
Colin Clarke, head of research for the Soufan Group, emphasized the threat posed by ISIS, stating, "Thats where the experienced, battle-hardened fighters are." The potential for a major attack in Damascus, particularly targeting foreigners or expatriates, could drastically alter perceptions of the threat, as noted by Aaron Zelin, a fellow at the Washington Institute.
Currently, approximately 2,000 U.S. troops remain stationed in Syria, with American bases located in the northeast alongside the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and in the south at the al-Tanf base. These bases are crucial in maintaining control over the detained terrorists. However, Turkish-backed militias have been diverting the SDF's attention with incursions in the north, leading to weakened security at many prison camps.
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