In the complex mosaic of the new Syria, the old battle against the group calling itself Islamic State (IS) continues in the Kurdish-controlled north-east. It's a conflict that has slipped from the headlines - with bigger wars elsewhere.
But Kurdish counter-terrorism officials have reported that IS cells in Syria are regrouping and increasing their attacks. A significant rise in incidents has been observed, with claims of a ten-fold increase in their operations, as the group takes advantage of the security vacuum left by the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.
This troubling situation is reflected in the largest jail for IS suspects, Al-Sina, located in the city of Al Hasakah. Here, around 8,000 detainees await trials, living under strict conditions with limited access to the outside world. Despite being imprisoned, many detainees are reportedly reorganizing within the facility and maintaining influence over fellow inmates.
Personal narratives illustrate the larger crisis at hand. Walid Abdul-Basit Sheikh Mousa, a 21-year-old fighter who joined the Kurdish forces against IS, was killed in combat. His mother recounts the pain of losing her son in a struggle against a group that continues to recruit despite their defeat in territorial holdings.
The family members of IS fighters pose a complex dilemma for authorities, as they are held in sprawling tented camps subjected to harsh conditions. Women like London’s Mehak Aslam, whose family has been stripped of citizenship, face collective punishment despite claiming they were merely bringing aid to the region. The children who reside in these camps are viewed as potential seeds for a new generation of extremists, raising grave concerns about their indoctrination amidst poverty and instability.
Authorities warn of the enduring threat from sleeper cells, indicating that the fight against IS is far from over. With the continuation of violence and the increasing radicalization of vulnerable populations, Syria remains a flashpoint for conflict and extremist ideology.
