Thousands of ISIS prisoners being held in the northeastern part of the country have made the news again as Syrian governmental forces seized territory previously controlled by the Kurds. The Syrian Democratic Forces, who until now were the main allies of the United States in the war against the ISIS terrorist organization, were in control of the prisons and camps where tens of thousands of prisoners and their families were being held.
To start the week, Syria’s Interior Ministry reported that about 120 inmates escaped from a prison that was previously under the control of the SDF. By Tuesday, the authorities reported that 81 had been apprehended, while the others were still on the run. This situation has revealed the harsh truth that the situation of ISIS prisons is a significant security concern, with no solution in sight.
What Has Changed in Northeast Syria?
The SDF had lost control of territory in the northeast due to the advancement of government forces into the region. While the government and SDF accused each other of being responsible for the breakout of al-Shaddadi Prison, the underlying reason is of less consequence than its outcome: the failure of the security system, which had previously kept ISIS under control.
The SDF also withdrew from al-Hol camp, a huge detention facility that houses over 70,000 civilians with ties to ISIS. In a very dramatic press release, the SDF has cited “international indifference” for their decision to withdraw from this camp. This latest decision marks a clear shift in geopolitics: the SDF feels letdown by America in particular and the world in general.
Why Did the SDF Feel Abandoned?
The SDF has been an important partner for the coalition established by the US to counter ISIS. The Syrian conflict has been witnessing a shift in the Syrian Administration led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa to move closer to the Syrian government in an effort to downgrade the autonomy of the Kurds.
This effectively left the SDF alone. With the advance of Syrian government forces and allied militia groups, the SDF charged the coalition of ignoring its appeals for assistance. This scenario has led to the serious diminishment of its territory and power and a concomitant and mortal danger to the ISIS detention camps.
What Is the US Doing Now?
The United States is transferring detainees of the Islamic State in Syria to Iraq. On Wednesday, US forces relocated 150 Islamic State in Syria, also known as ISIS, fighters from a holding facility inside Hasakah to safe facilities in Iraq. According to US Central Command, 7,000 detainees may be relocated.
US officials claim that it is essential to relocate these inmates in order to avoid any big escape. But there is an argument that this particular mission is indicative of the deeper issue of how the US is letting down their Kurdish allies in the region. They are, in this case, refusing to accept responsibility for these inmates that they helped arrest in the first place.
What Does This Mean for ISIS in Syria?
ISIS might have physically lost the fight, but it still lingered as a powerful insurgent group. ISIS still exists and operates in both Syria and Iraq, capitalizing on the instability and chaos that exists in both countries as it tries to re-establish itself. The fall of security in the Kurdish-held areas of the northeast could also fuel the growth of ISIS momentum.
This crisis has reignited disputes on what should be done with the foreign fighters as well as their families. Many countries have refused to take back their people, who remain stranded in camps such as al-Hol. While a number of countries have repatriated children, mothers, as well as foreign fighters, many of them remain detained. The US, which is responsible for funding the camps, has indicated that it cannot continue forever.
Why Is the International Community Failing to Act?
The global response has been weak. The UN has expressed concern and urged the security of detention facilities, but few nations are willing to take action.
This raises a crucial question: If countries refuse to repatriate their own citizens, who will deal with the security threat? The result is a dangerous and growing problem being left to regional actors and a weakened Kurdish force.
What Does This Mean for the Future of Syria?
The Syrian regime has asked for the incorporation of the SDF within the state or else war. A ceasefire was accepted by the SDF, but claims of violations emerged soon after. The threat of conflict is imminent. The actual problem at hand is the moral and strategic failure in the US-led fight against ISIS. The Kurds, who were hailed as important allies in the fight, are now being shelved while the international community looks on in innocence.
This crisis is not only happening in prisons. It has to do with broader geopolitics and responsibilities in a war-torn area of our world. We are witnessing a breakdown in a fragile security network when the world stands by and does not want to get its hands dirty. Let a single prisoner from ISIS slip through its fingers, and Syria will not be the only country that suffers consequences.
