Legacy of Terror: The Lingering Threat of ISIS Sleeper Cells

Even though the ISIS caliphate has collapsed and its leader is dead, the threat persists as thousands of followers sit in detention camps. The fragmented control in northeast Syria creates a complex security landscape, leaving the region vulnerable to extremist attacks and hindering recovery and stability.

The so-called ISIS caliphate established in 2014 may no longer exist, and its leadership gone, but the security outlook in its former territories remains bleak.

On June 29, 2014, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, declaring the establishment of the 'Islamic State of Iraq and Syria' (ISIS), called for Muslims globally to escalate a war against 'enemies of god'.

A decade later, the caliphate is long gone, Al-Baghdadi dead, and the al-Nuri mosque destroyed in Mosul's final battle in 2017. However, thousands of ISIS followers who survived now sit in the world's largest detention camp in northeast Syria.

At its peak, ISIS declared global jihad and managed to capture strategic cities, instilling fear through both regional and international terrorism. Despite the US-led coalition's victory in 2019, the security landscape remains unstable. Various factions, including Kurdish-led forces, Turkish-backed factions, and the Syrian government, backed by Russia, control northeast Syria.

This fragmented control opens up myriad security challenges, from the resurgence of ISIS sleeper cells to growing extremism in detention camps like Al-Hol, housing over 45,000 detainees, most of whom are women and children.

ISIS sleeper cells continue to launch sporadic attacks, perpetuating violence and radical ideology within and outside the camps.

International efforts to address the legal status of former ISIS affiliates face hurdles, with countries unwilling to repatriate their nationals. The lack of a structured legal framework leaves these affiliates in a legal limbo.

Rehabilitation, reintegration, and deradicalisation efforts remain stagnant, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and nurturing extremism among camp inhabitants.

Security analysts warn that ignoring these signs will lead to a resurgence of jihadist groups, necessitating coordinated international efforts to address camp conditions and legal frameworks.

Sustainable peace and security hinge on international collaboration to address these challenges, preventing the resurgence of ISIS and future extremist threats. Assuming ISIS was defeated in 2019 is not only inaccurate but risky.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)