General Michael Erik Kurilla of U.S. CENTCOM met with the SDF leadership amid ongoing fighting in northeast Syria. Discussions focused on the threat of the Islamic State and the conditions in camps housing IS fighters. There is concern over the potential resurgence of IS due to inadequate repatriation efforts. Despite a ceasefire, conflicts persist, highlighting the complexity of the regional dynamics involving Turkey and Kurdish forces.
On Thursday, the commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael Erik Kurilla, met with leaders of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) amid ongoing conflicts in northeast Syria. Accompanied by Major General Kevin Leahy and Brigadier General Michael Brooks, their discussions focused on the imminent threats posed by the Islamic State (IS) and the deteriorating situation on the ground.
General Kurilla visited several camps, including al-Hol and al-Roj, where around 40,000 individuals, largely families of IS fighters, are detained. CENTCOM emphasized the urgent need for international repatriation and rehabilitation efforts to prevent the emergence of a new generation of IS militants, noting that approximately 9,000 ISIS detainees are currently held by the SDF, forming a veritable ‘ISIS Army’ in captivity.
During a broader eight-day tour that included visits to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and multiple other nations, Kurilla articulated U.S. concerns regarding the presence of IS fighters during the rising tensions between the SDF and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA). Commander of the SDF, Mazloum Abdi, acknowledged the U.S. role in facilitating a ceasefire, underscoring the importance of U.S. involvement in ensuring stability in the region.
Fighting has persisted in northeast Syria since December 2023, with the SNA’s aggressions targeting the city of Manbij. Despite efforts for a ceasefire, clashes continue, particularly near the Tishreen Dam, resulting in approximately 400 fatalities recorded by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights since the beginning of hostilities. Turkey remains adamant about addressing the issues regarding the Kurds in the region, viewing northeast Syria as a crucial zone against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
Amidst these developments, high-level discussions took place between Abdi and Masoud Barzani, the former president of Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), focused on strengthening intra-Kurdish relations. The SDF has also been engaging with the Syrian transitional government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus to pursue the integration of Syrian governance involving the SDF.
The ongoing military operation in northeastern Syria is intricately connected to historical hostilities involving various factions, notably the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Since December, confrontations between the SDF and the Turkish-backed SNA have intensified as Turkey perceives the Kurdish presence as a threat due to their links with the PKK. The potential resurgence of IS fighters from detention camps adds a layer of complexity, as U.S. and allied forces aim to stabilize the region amid rising violence and political negotiations.
In summary, U.S. CENTCOM’s engagement with the SDF highlights ongoing concerns about IS threats and the pressing need for international cooperation regarding detainees in Syrian camps. The persistence of violence between Kurdish and Turkish-backed forces complicates efforts for peace, with the U.S. endeavoring to mediate a sustainable ceasefire. Continued dialogue among Kurdish factions and the Syrian government remains essential for achieving long-term resolution in the region.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
