CENTCOM commander visits Syria, reaffirms commitment to defeating ISIS
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), visited on Thursday U.S. military personnel, commanders, and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) at several bases in Syria.
In a post on its “X” Platform, the CENTCOM announced that General Kurilla met with U.S. military leaders, service members, and SDF “to get an assessment on the ongoing Defeat-ISIS campaign and efforts to prevent the resurgence of the terrorist group in the region as well as the evolving situation in Syria.”
During his visit, General Kurilla received updates on the ongoing campaign to defeat ISIS and efforts to prevent the resurgence of the terrorist group in the region.
The visit included the participation of Major General Kevin Leahy, commander of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), and General Michael Brooks, commander of the Combined Special Operations Joint Task Force- Levant (CSOJTF-L).
General Kurilla also visited Hawl Camp in northeastern Syria, emphasizing the risks associated with the camp.
The CENTCOM highlighted that “Without international repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration efforts, these camps risk creating the next generation of ISIS.”
The CENTCOM noted that more than 9,000 ISIS detainees from over 50 countries are currently held in more than a dozen prisons guarded by the SDF in Syria, describing them as “literal and figurative ISIS Army in detention.”
General Kurilla reiterated CENTCOM’s commitment to supporting the repatriation of residents from the Hawl and Roj camps to their home countries.
He emphasized the need for the international community to work collaboratively to transfer ISIS fighters to their countries for final adjudication.
By Muhammad al-Qadi