Kurdish Forces Resist Transfer of IS Prisons to New Syrian Government
U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish forces oppose handing over Islamic State detention centers to the new Islamist authorities in Damascus, as tensions escalate regarding prison control and the re-emergence of IS.
Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria, notably the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), have opposed the handover of Islamic State (IS) detention centers to the newly formed Islamist government in Damascus.
The SDF, a key player in U.S.-supported efforts to fight IS, continues to manage prisons that hold thousands of IS militants.
The most prominent facility is in the city of Hasakah, where approximately 4,500 IS detainees, including foreign nationals, are incarcerated.
Kurdish authorities have voiced concerns about a possible IS resurgence, referencing several attempts by the group to escape, such as a thwarted attack in late 2022. The SDF insists that the responsibility for these sites should remain with them and their allied forces.
Kurdish leaders have asserted that transferring these prisons to the new Islamist government in Damascus, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is unacceptable.
HTS, which took over from the Assad regime in early December 2023, is viewed by some international entities, like Turkey, as a capable authority to manage the detention facilities.
Nevertheless, the U.S. has supported the SDF in maintaining its security role, with former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasizing the critical role of the Kurdish forces in preventing IS from regaining influence. The situation is further complicated by internal disagreements between the SDF and the new Syrian defense ministry, which has pushed for the dissolution of the Kurdish-led forces.
Furthermore, the SDF also oversees al-Hol, a well-known camp for tens of thousands of IS fighters' family members.
The destiny of foreign nationals held in these facilities is uncertain, as many countries have declined to repatriate their citizens, citing security concerns. Despite claims from detainees expressing regret and remorse for their involvement with IS, Kurdish officials assert that many prisoners continue to show loyalty to the group, with ongoing reports of escape attempts and militant activities within the prison system.
The SDF's appeal for foreign governments to either take back their nationals or face local trials for detained IS members remains a contentious issue in ongoing discussions regarding Syria’s security situation.
The SDF, a key player in U.S.-supported efforts to fight IS, continues to manage prisons that hold thousands of IS militants.
The most prominent facility is in the city of Hasakah, where approximately 4,500 IS detainees, including foreign nationals, are incarcerated.
Kurdish authorities have voiced concerns about a possible IS resurgence, referencing several attempts by the group to escape, such as a thwarted attack in late 2022. The SDF insists that the responsibility for these sites should remain with them and their allied forces.
Kurdish leaders have asserted that transferring these prisons to the new Islamist government in Damascus, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is unacceptable.
HTS, which took over from the Assad regime in early December 2023, is viewed by some international entities, like Turkey, as a capable authority to manage the detention facilities.
Nevertheless, the U.S. has supported the SDF in maintaining its security role, with former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasizing the critical role of the Kurdish forces in preventing IS from regaining influence. The situation is further complicated by internal disagreements between the SDF and the new Syrian defense ministry, which has pushed for the dissolution of the Kurdish-led forces.
Furthermore, the SDF also oversees al-Hol, a well-known camp for tens of thousands of IS fighters' family members.
The destiny of foreign nationals held in these facilities is uncertain, as many countries have declined to repatriate their citizens, citing security concerns. Despite claims from detainees expressing regret and remorse for their involvement with IS, Kurdish officials assert that many prisoners continue to show loyalty to the group, with ongoing reports of escape attempts and militant activities within the prison system.
The SDF's appeal for foreign governments to either take back their nationals or face local trials for detained IS members remains a contentious issue in ongoing discussions regarding Syria’s security situation.
