Senior U.S. military officials are sounding the alarm that the weakening of Kurdish forces due to Turkish bombings jeopardizes the security of prisons in Syria, where thousands of ISIS militants are held and could return to the battlefield. One official referred to the situation as a "ticking time bomb."
American officials are warning that Turkey's airstrikes on Syrian Kurdish forces (SDF) are destabilizing the fragile region and could lead to the collapse of prisons housing around 9,000 ISIS fighters, according to a report today (Wednesday) by Politico.
The primary concern is that such a collapse would result in a mass escape of militants, potentially allowing ISIS to reorganize and strengthen.
"This is a ticking time bomb," said a senior U.S. official, who claimed that without stopping Turkey's attacks, Kurdish forces will struggle to maintain control over the detention facilities.
These prisons, established as a temporary solution following ISIS's collapse, have become a heavy burden on Kurdish forces. This is largely because the home countries of the militants—Europe, North America, and Central Asia—refuse to take back their citizens who joined ISIS. There are fears in these countries regarding the security and legal risks of bringing the militants back, leaving the Kurds to bear the responsibility for securing the facilities alone.
The Kurdish forces, considered key allies of the U.S. in the fight against ISIS, are working to maintain stability and seek to extend the ceasefire with Turkey-backed forces. Simultaneously, about 900 American soldiers stationed in Syria continue to operate alongside the Kurds, but Pentagon officials have clarified that there are no plans to increase their presence in the region.
The U.S. has emphasized its determination to prevent ISIS from re-emerging. "We will not allow ISIS to exploit the current situation," stated Central Command Commander General Eric Kurilla, stressing that the U.S. will take action against any entity that supports or collaborates with the organization.