US Central Command Raises Alarms Over Resurgence of Islamic State Attacks in Syria and Iraq

The US Central Command has reported a significant increase in Islamic State attacks in Syria and Iraq, nearing double the figures from the previous year. Kurdish-led authorities in northeastern Syria have issued a general amnesty for many detainees, excluding key IS members. Tensions continue with Iran-backed militias launching drone attacks on US bases.

The US Central Command announced Wednesday that the Islamic State group is attempting 'to reconstitute' as attacks in Syria and Iraq are set to double this year compared to last year.

IS has claimed 153 attacks in the first half of 2024, according to CENTCOM. A US defence official, speaking under anonymity, noted the group was behind 121 attacks in the region in 2023.

'The increase in attacks indicates ISIS is attempting to reconstitute following several years of decreased capability,' CENTCOM stated.

In northeastern Syria, Kurdish-led authorities issued a general amnesty on Wednesday. The move will affect hundreds of Syrians detained by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for their IS roles. The SDF holds over 10,000 IS fighters, including 2,000 foreigners whose home countries refuse to repatriate them. The amnesty will reduce life sentences to 15 years for certain detainees and release those over 75 or terminally ill. Notably, this excludes IS officials and those who fought against the SDF or carried out deadly attacks.

Legal expert Khaled Jabr explained that about 600 Syrian citizens, not involved in bloodshed or captured fighting SDF, might benefit.

This announcement coincides with the 10th anniversary of IS's caliphate declaration, which once controlled large parts of Iraq and Syria. At its peak, IS inflicted severe punishments, especially on religious minorities, and committed atrocities against the Yazidi community.

A US-led coalition of over 80 countries helped dismantle IS's territorial control by 2017 in Iraq and 2019 in Syria, yet sleeper cells persist.

Iraqi officials claim they can handle the IS threat independently and are negotiating with the US to scale down coalition military missions in Iraq amidst rising domestic unrest over US troop presence.

From October to February, Iran-backed militias attacked US bases in Iraq and Syria, citing retaliation for US support of Israel. The attacks, however, declined after US soldiers died in a Jordanian strike, prompting US retaliatory measures. On Tuesday, Iraqi militia officials reported a new drone attack on Ain al-Asad base, with no immediate US response.

(With inputs from agencies.)