Trump Faces Increased ISIS Threat in Syria Amid Turkish Aggression
Concerns about ISIS’s resurgence in Syria are escalating as attacks on U.S.-aligned SDF increase, complicating President-elect Trump’s position. Recent Turkish-backed assaults and a failing ceasefire highlight the challenges the incoming administration will face in managing both ISIS threats and relations with Turkey.
Concerns regarding the resurgence of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria are intensifying, particularly following the destabilization of the Bashar al-Assad regime and a marked increase in attacks against U.S.-aligned Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). President-elect Donald Trump may encounter renewed challenges from ISIS as the SDF grapples with dual threats from the terrorist organization and aggression from Turkey. Recently, five SDF soldiers were killed due to assaults by Turkish-backed forces in northern Syria, as reported by Reuters.
The troubling developments occurred against the backdrop of a crumbling ceasefire initiative brokered by the Biden administration aimed at curtailing ISIS’s resurgence. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan recently expressed that his “single biggest concern” remains the potential return of ISIS, which had been previously declared “defeated” in 2019. Sullivan emphasized that the extremist group exploits power vacuums in regions such as North Africa to solidify its presence. He affirmed the importance of supporting the SDF, stating, “our goal is to ensure that we support the SDF — the Kurds — and that we keep ISIS in check.”
Historically, the U.S. has navigated a precarious balance in combating ISIS in Syria, relying heavily on Kurdish forces while concurrently maintaining its alliance with Turkey, which categorizes the SDF as equivalent to the terrorist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, articulated that with the Assad regime weakened and Turkish proxies increasing their pressure, significant concern regarding ISIS’s resurgence is justified. He asserted, “Turkey wants to destroy the SDF,” suggesting impending escalations in conflict against these forces.
In efforts to counteract ISIS, the Biden administration has ramped up military operations, targeting over 75 sites associated with ISIS leaders and their operations in recent weeks, as confirmed by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Notably, the operations coincided with the fall of Damascus following territorial gains by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group backed by Turkey, against Syrian government forces.
As the SDF strives to suppress ISIS uprisings, reports indicated that they captured 18 ISIS terrorists and collaborators. However, concerns are mounting that the SDF will need to dilute its resources as it faces renewed assaults from Turkish-backed forces which could complicate the forthcoming Trump administration’s efforts to manage ISIS threats while sustaining military and diplomatic relations with Turkey.
The Trump transition team reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring peace and stability in the Middle East and protecting American interests domestically, reflecting a heightened awareness of the escalating complexities in the region.
The situation in Syria presents a complex geopolitical challenge, primarily influenced by the aftermath of the Assad regime’s weakening grip on power. The SDF, a key ally of the United States in the fight against ISIS, now faces simultaneous threats from both ISIS and Turkey, which opposes Kurdish autonomy. This dynamic creates a precarious balance for U.S. policymakers, who must address the risk of ISIS’s resurgence while cooperating with Turkey, a NATO ally, that perceives the SDF as a terrorist group.
In summary, the emergence of heightened ISIS threats in Syria underscores a challenging landscape for President-elect Trump. As the SDF contends with renewed attacks from Turkish-backed forces and seeks to deter ISIS, the outgoing administration’s military strategies may influence the incoming administration’s approach. Maintaining U.S. support for Kurdish forces while managing relations with Turkey will be critical in addressing the multifaceted threats in the region.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
