 "Can US fan the flames of Islamic State's resurgence in Syria? Kurdish commander says...")
The leader of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has called on Donald Trump to maintain the US military presence in northeastern Syria, warning that a withdrawal would risk the resurgence of the Islamic State (IS).
IS regrouping amid regional instability
Gen. Mazloum Abdi, the SDF’s commander-in-chief, noted that IS has been regaining strength in Syria’s desert regions, capitalising on the collapse of the Assad regime and ongoing conflicts. He said IS members were actively plotting to attack detention centres holding thousands of IS fighters and supporters, the Guardian reported.
Kurdish forces, meanwhile, are stretched thin, defending their territory against Turkey and its allied Syrian National Army (SNA). Turkey recently seized the town of Manbij with airstrike support, adding to the pressure on the SDF.
Trump’s stance raises concerns
The potential return of Trump to power this month has heightened fears among Kurdish leaders that US troops may be withdrawn. In 2019, Trump’s announcement of a full withdrawal from Syria triggered a Turkish offensive against the Kurds.
At a recent press conference, Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan but was noncommittal when asked about troop withdrawals. “I won’t tell you that, because that’s part of a military strategy,” he said.
Abdi warned that any US withdrawal would lead to “another chaotic situation” and potentially spark a new civil war.
“The key factor of stabilisation in this area is the US presence on the ground,” the Guardian cited Abdi as saying. He cautioned that a pullout would lead to the resurgence of IS and other factions.
Currently, around 2,000 US troops are stationed in the region. The Biden administration had maintained a presence to support the SDF, which has played a critical role in dismantling IS strongholds since 2014.
Appeal to Europe
As Trump deliberates, Abdi issued a plea to European nations for support, reminding them of the SDF’s role in fighting IS on behalf of the international community.
The general said the SDF “had not fought only on behalf of their people and their forces but against IS on behalf of the European countries.”
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