📰 A Shift in American Engagement with the SDF and Enhanced Security for ISIS Detainees

latest months have seen a marked shift in the American approach to northeastern syria, set against a backdrop of swiftly evolving field and security developments in the region. These changes appear set to continue in the near future, particularly in the wake of an attack on U. S. troops in the Palmyra area, east of Homs, on Saturday (13 December), carried out by an individual affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS). Enhanced Security Measures for Former ISIS Affiliates Sources familiar with the movements of the International Coalition troops in Iraq and Syria informed Syria TV that the American side commenced implementing stricter security protocols multiple months ago regarding detention facilities housing former ISIS members.

These facilities are primarily located in Al-Hasakah Governorate. as per the sources, the Coalition has transferred senior ISIS leaders from the Ghweran and Al-Kam Al-Sini prisons to facilities under its control in Iraq. This move is reportedly based on intelligence suggesting communication between the syrian/" class="auto-internal-link">syrian Democratic Forces (sdf) and Iraqi factions. The sources added that these actions aim to pre-empt any resurgence of ISIS cell activity within Syrian territory—an outcome that could undermine the stability of the emerging Syrian administration and disrupt its ongoing political and security efforts. Since early December, the International Coalition has established a special committee to oversee the remaining detainees held in Al-Hassakeh’s detention centres.

This development followed intelligence shared by the Syrian administration with the Coalition, confirming the arrest of ISIS cells that had recently escaped from SDF-run prisons. Pressure on the SDF to Coordinate with Damascus Available information indicates that the U. S. -led International Coalition is now encouraging the SDF to engage in security coordination with the Syrian government. The objective is to mitigate the vulnerabilities currently enabling ISIS cells to operate within Syria.

Washington is reportedly seeking to establish joint operations between the SDF’s counter-terrorism units and Syrian intelligence, alongside facilitating field-level coordination between the Deir ez-Zor armed forces Council and government forces. This American initiative underscores a renewed focus on controlling Syria’s security environment, amid stalled negotiations between the SDF and Damascus over potential integration. Moreover, as such, the United States may be attempting to transform the security file into a gateway for building trust between the two sides. Successful coordination could, in the future, allow the Trump administration to scale back its armed forces presence in Syria—relying instead on a contingent of advisors and technicians to backing local partners in the ongoing…