US-backed SDF Pledges Measures to Counter ISIS Expansion in Syria
HOMS, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced Thursday that they have implemented extensive measures to curb the expansion of the Islamic State (ISIS) after the group reportedly seized large swathes of territory in the deserts of Homs and Deir ez-Zor.
The announcement comes as Syria endures heightened instability, with ongoing clashes between government forces and Turkey-backed opposition factions, including Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Turkish-backed groups, adding to the turmoil.
ISIS Gains Ground
In a statement released earlier today, the SDF highlighted ISIS’s renewed offensive, saying the group has captured significant areas in Syria’s central desert region.
“The terrorist organization ISIS has recently declared control over significant portions of the Homs and Deir Ezzor desert, seizing numerous cities and strategic positions from the Damascus government forces,” the statement read.
The SDF expressed concerns about the group’s potential to expand into additional unprotected regions, potentially threatening the broader security of Syria.
Preventing a Repeat of 2014
The SDF pledged to take decisive action to prevent ISIS from advancing further toward territories under their control in northeastern Syria.
“As the terrorist organization tries to continue its expansion to other unprotected areas, our forces have implemented comprehensive and controlled measures to counter these threats.,” the statement added. “Our forces have taken extensive and controlled measures and will intervene effectively to counter any attempt by ISIS to expand into our areas and prevent a repeat of the 2014 scenario.”
Regional Context
The resurgence of ISIS in central Syria comes amid a backdrop of widespread chaos and shifting territorial control. HTS and Turkish-backed factions recently captured the strategic cities of Hama and Salamiyah following the withdrawal of Syrian government forces. These developments have left vast areas of central and eastern Syria vulnerable to exploitation by ISIS militants.
While the Syrian government has remained largely silent about its losses to ISIS, local sources report that government forces are struggling to maintain a cohesive defense in the face of simultaneous offensives by multiple adversaries.
SDF’s Role in Regional Stability
The SDF, which played a critical role in defeating ISIS’s territorial caliphate in northeastern Syria in 2019, remains a key actor in the fight against the group. Its announcement today signals its readiness to act as a bulwark against further ISIS incursions, particularly as the group seeks to exploit the current instability in the region.
The SDF has also called on international partners to provide support in countering the renewed ISIS threat. It emphasized the importance of coordination and intelligence-sharing to prevent the group’s resurgence from undermining the fragile security in northeastern Syria.
Future Implications
ISIS’s ability to regain and hold territory in central Syria underscores the persistent threat it poses, not just to the region but also to global security. The group’s territorial ambitions, if unchecked, could destabilize broader efforts to maintain peace and security in the region.
The SDF’s proactive measures, combined with international cooperation, will likely play a crucial role in determining whether ISIS’s renewed push can be contained or if it will spiral into a broader crisis.