New York Times: ISIS regains strength in Syria
Analysts believe that ISIS is once again becoming active in Syria, increasing the risk of instability in the region, according to a report by The New York Times.
They note that ISIS has recruited new fighters and increased its number of attacks, raising concerns about escalating instability in Syria and the wider region.
According to The New York Times report, “a dangerous resurgence of ISIS could undermine a rare opportunity in which Syria seems to have a chance to move beyond a ‘brutal dictatorship,’ and the impact may be felt more broadly, spreading instability throughout the Middle East.”
The newspaper points out that “ISIS previously used Syria as a base for planning attacks on neighboring countries and even in Europe.”
Between 9,000 and 10,000 ISIS mercenaries, along with about 40,000 of their family members, are currently being held in NE Syria. “Their escape would not only boost ISIS numbers but would also represent a propaganda victory,” according to The New York Times.
Colin Clarke, head of research at the Soufan Group, a global intelligence and security firm, states: “The prisons and camps remain the main resources of ISIS,” adding, “That’s where the experienced, battle-hardened fighters are.”
He continues: “In addition to the strength they would add to the group, opening these prisons would further enhance ISIS’s recruitment efforts for months.”
The newspaper notes: “Senior U.S. intelligence officials presented their annual assessment of global threats to Congress last month and concluded that ISIS will attempt to exploit the fall of the Assad government to free prisoners and revive its capacity to plan and carry out attacks.”
The United States announced late last year that it had nearly doubled the number of its ground troops in Syria to 2,000. Its multiple strikes on ISIS hideouts in the Syrian desert over recent months appear to have reduced the immediate threat.
It is also worth noting that the Internal Security Forces – Women in the North and East Syria recently carried out a search campaign in Roj Camp, which is designated for housing ISIS families. Sixteen individuals from ISIS cells and their collaborators were arrested for proven involvement in communicating with external cells for recruitment and smuggling families.
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