A dangerous unraveling is underway in northeastern Syria, igniting fears of a resurgence of ISIS. The recent actions of Syria’s governing authorities against U.S.-backed Kurdish forces have triggered a frantic scramble to secure thousands of ISIS detainees, forcing a rapid and unprecedented relocation operation.
The U.S. military initiated a high-stakes maneuver on Wednesday, urgently transferring ISIS prisoners out of Syria and into Iraq. Approximately 150 detainees have already been moved from a facility in Hasakah, with plans to relocate up to 7,000 from a total population of 9,000 to 10,000 held within Syria’s borders.
This operation unfolded after President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government issued an order demanding the disbandment of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a crucial ally in the fight against ISIS. A swift offensive over the weekend dramatically weakened the SDF, paving the way for Syrian government forces to seize control of key detention facilities.
The shifting control has already resulted in breaches of security. Authorities reported at least 120 ISIS detainees escaped from the al-Shaddadi prison in Hasakah this week, though many have since been recaptured. However, officials warn that a significant number of escapees remain unaccounted for, posing an immediate threat.
The deteriorating situation has cast a long shadow over al-Hol camp, a sprawling detention site housing roughly 24,000 people – primarily women and children connected to ISIS fighters. Western officials have long considered the camp a hotbed for radicalization, a breeding ground for the next generation of extremists.
Kurdish forces, overwhelmed and citing a lack of international support, announced their withdrawal from overseeing al-Hol. Their statement underscored a growing sense of abandonment, claiming the international community has failed to address the persistent ISIS threat. This withdrawal leaves a dangerous vacuum in security.
The redeployment of Kurdish forces is directly linked to confronting the advance of Syrian government troops into territory they previously held. A fragile four-day ceasefire was agreed upon Tuesday evening, but its long-term viability remains deeply uncertain, hanging precariously in the balance.
Adding to the complexity, the U.S. is now contemplating a withdrawal of its remaining 1,000 troops stationed in Syria. This potential departure raises serious questions about Washington’s ability to maintain security over ISIS detainees as alliances on the ground continue to shift and fracture.
The specter of ISIS is far from extinguished. Despite losing its last territorial stronghold in 2019, the group has reorganized into a decentralized insurgency, relentlessly targeting prisons and detention camps across Syria and Iraq. The December deaths of two U.S. Army soldiers, killed by a lone ISIS gunman, serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing danger.
The current situation is further complicated by the West’s cautious support for President al-Sharaa, a former militant with a controversial past. This support is framed as a pragmatic security calculation – a necessary evil to prevent an ISIS resurgence – rather than an endorsement of his history.
U.S. envoy Tom Barrack has urged Kurdish leaders to negotiate a lasting agreement with the new Syrian government, signaling a shift in U.S. priorities. Washington’s focus is now squarely on preventing ISIS from regaining strength, even if it means reducing its long-term military presence in the region.
The core message is clear: the United States has no intention of maintaining an indefinite military commitment. Securing ISIS detention facilities and fostering dialogue between the SDF and the Syrian government are now paramount, as the region teeters on the brink of a renewed crisis.
