The spike in ISIS attack in northeast Syria has alarmed the residents and observers about an imminent ISIS resurgence. A rise from the ashes may prove ISIS more hostile than before.
During the last weeks, ISIS is has succeeded with a series of assaults in Syrian regions in the North-East. Analysts have speculated that this may prove a sign that the ISIS resurgence is no more a theory off reality.
Seven individuals died in an alleged ISIS strike on a Ramadan event near Deir-Az-Zor three days ago. A senior ex-spokesman for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces was among the victims.
Residents’ eyes glared with shock by the attack’s audacity. Experts and humanitarian activists voiced increasing concerns that rising attacks in the poor region might jeopardize humanitarian efforts. Millions of Syrians who are vulnerable might face attacks as a result of the new condition.
After American special operations executed then-leader Abu Ibrahim al-Qurayshi and senior spokesman, ISIS upped its assaults in north-eastern Syria.
Two weeks earlier, Abu Omar al-Muhajir, the senior ISIS spokesperson, urged ISIS members to revenge the losses. Al-Muhajir demanded Revenge for the Two Imams in an audio message.
ISSL has carried out at least 20 assaults since al-Muhajir’s call, according to the Syrian Rojava data service. “The attacks have occurred particularly in Deir-Az-Zor, but also in areas usually spared from ISIS violence, such as Manbij, Raqqa, and Jazeera,” a Rojava investigator told reporters. “In just 10 days, ISIS carried out more confirmed attacks in northeast Syria than in February and March combined.”
Considering that the world has focused its attention on other arenas, such as the Ukraine war, the timeframe of the ISIS operations was deliberate. The effort may intend to capitalize on international void and to refocus international attention on the movement.
ISIS Resurgence After Three Years
Besides the recent attack, ISIS conducted over 82 more violent attacks in the current year. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the attacks has claimed 63 lives among the civilians and SDF forces.
ISIS previously ruled a region equaling the United Kingdom national realms starting in Syria and ending in Iraq. It has missed its status and power in a process of five years. The group has subsequently evolved into a guerilla-style structure with sleeper cells throughout cities and villages.
ISIS resurgence is part of the problems local residents face and observers are concerned about. The two groups are also apprehensive that the processes of humanitarian organizations in the area would suffer disruptions. “Events over the past few weeks are a reminder that a return of violence could derail all efforts for a lasting peace in the northeast,” said a policy and advocacy advisor in Norway.
Back in 2011, reform rallies in Syria devolved into civil war by foreign influences. Since then, over 60% of Syrian people have faced starvation as food and gasoline prices have risen dramatically. Millions of people still experience compulsory displacement.
The supply of money accessible to humanitarian organizations has also been limited due to donor weariness. In Syria, UN World Food Programme recently cut the amount of its food distribution. Despite the severe living circumstances, nonprofits are struggling to cope with financial shortages.
An ISIS resurgence would aggravate the humanitarian crisis, making it even harder for people in need to receive assistance. Syrian North-East has proved increasingly hazardous in 2022.
An ISIS raid on a jail in Hassakeh in late January serving as a foreshadowing of is expecting the world. After a week, about 200 citizens and fighters were murdered, and over 45 thousand people faced compulsory movement.
