US intelligence report: ISIS has recently increased its presence in Syria -Iraq

US intelligence report revealed the increasing influence of ISIS mercenaries in both Syria and Iraq, warning that the fortunes of the mercenaries may have begun to change, which may allow them to re-take lands in these two countries.

6 November, 2021 07:32

NEWS DESK

Most countries in the Western world have begun to focus on the growing threat from the branch of ISIS mercenaries in Afghanistan, but new intelligence suggests that there is again cause for concern about the "terrorist group" in Syria and Iraq, according to a Voice of America report.

ISIS operates within small secret cells across the two countries, and this terrorist group, known as ISIS, is trying to maintain its intelligence and army. Officials describe it as a low-level insurgency with varying degrees of success.

In Syria, in particular, ISIS mercenaries "seem ready to increase their activity. After a period of recovery, "the Defense Intelligence Agency also informed the Department of Defense Inspector General in its just-released quarterly report on American operations in the region.

Defense Intelligence Agency said ISIS activity began to revive in September, with an increasing number of attacks in Central Sahara, Syria, against Damascus government forces.

The Ministry of Interior said other targets included fuel infrastructure, supply routes and even Iranian-backed groups.

US military intelligence officials also said there was evidence that ISIS had transported some mercenaries from the Central Desert to north and east Syria, where local officials say ISIS is finding other ways to expand.

The Head Executive of the Syria Democratic Council, SDC, Ilham Ahmed, told reporters last month during a visit to Washington: "ISIS is not just a military presence."

ISIS control over people

Ilham Ahmed said: "The most important is the intellectual and ideological impact of ISIS on people," warning that ISIS has created cells in the major cities such as Raqqa and Deir ez - Zor.

Co-chair of Deir-ez-Zor Civil Council, Ghassan al-Yusuf, has warned "The resurgence of ISIS is very possible. It’s able to reorganize to collect money to be stronger.”

ISIS has found fertile ground for recruitment in IDPs and refugees’ camps such as Al-Hol, which includes some 60,000 women and children, many of whom are members of ISIS mercenaries killed or detained.

Despite the efforts of the Syrian Democratic Forces, SDF, US military intelligence officials warn that ISIS "retains the capacity to radicalize, intimidate, recruit and launch attacks."

T/S

ANHA