The Guardian’s Perspective on Syria’s Crisis: Beyond Islamic State Fighters | Editorial
The Fragile State of Kurdish Autonomy and U.S. Foreign Policy in Syria
In just over two weeks, a significant offensive by the Syrian government has seemingly erased over a decade of Kurdish self-rule in the northeast, consolidating President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s control. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) previously held approximately 25% of the country along with numerous vital resources, but they have rapidly lost ground. While the SDF has indicated a willingness to dissolve, its lack of practical action raises concerns about the stability of a tenuous truce. A peaceful resolution remains imperative; forced integration by Damascus risks provoking further insurgency.
The Role of U.S. Alliances in the Fight Against ISIS
The United States has historically relied on the SDF in its fight against the Islamic State. However, recent developments reveal a shift in U.S. policy under former President Donald Trump, who has taken a somewhat favorable stance toward Ahmed al-Sharaa—a former jihadist with a $10 million bounty on his head until late 2024. Frustration from the U.S. administration has grown over the SDF’s failure to implement an agreement for integration into a unified army structure, hindered by internal divisions. Tom Barrack, the U.S. special envoy to Syria, noted that the rationale for partnership with the SDF has “largely expired” as Damascus prepares to assume security responsibilities.
Western Failure in Addressing ISIS Suspects
The abandonment of the SDF by the U.S. highlights a broader Western failure to address the situation of tens of thousands of suspected ISIS members and their families held in previously SDF-controlled prisons, such as al-Hawl. The European Union has expressed grave concerns regarding potential breakouts from these facilities. Syria’s struggle to recover from decades of dictatorship and civil war, compounded by recent sectarian violence, poses significant risks that extend beyond the nation’s borders.
The U.S. has announced plans to transfer up to 7,000 of the most hardened fighters to detention facilities in Iraq. Regardless of their actions, these individuals deserve protection from torture, forced confessions, and executions. Reports indicate that women among the detainees have been indoctrinated and have raised their children accordingly. Deteriorating conditions in these facilities, coupled with a lack of serious investment in deradicalization efforts, exacerbate the potential threat they pose. Some foreign nationals, such as Shamima Begum, who left the UK to join ISIS at age 15, have had their citizenship revoked, but countries cannot easily evade their responsibilities. As nations hoped to shift this burden elsewhere, the overall threat has only escalated. Repatriation and proper management by their respective governments is essential.
Political Inclusivity and Long-Term Stability
Regardless of the Syrian state’s security capabilities, the long-term outlook remains bleak without a more inclusive political landscape. The future requires dialogue, transitional justice, and elections. Although Damascus has recently acknowledged the cultural rights of Kurds, it shows little willingness to permit political organization among minority groups that may challenge its centralized authority.
The Dilemma of Refugees and European Policies
The unstable situation in Syria also underscores a third abandonment: the treatment of Syrians who have fled the conflict. As the future of the country remains uncertain, nations such as Austria are advocating for the repatriation of those seeking refuge, to a country that will need an estimated $200 billion for reconstruction, where safety and rights are precarious at best. These governments must reconsider their strategies.
