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US CENTCOM Commander in Syria to Coordinate International Fight Against ISIS.


On January 16, General Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), visited Syria on a mission focused on evaluation and coordination. This visit enabled the American high command to meet with military leaders, service members, and local partners of the coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS), particularly the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). It took place within the context of Syria's continued status as a focal point of regional and international tensions, where the risk of an ISIS resurgence remains a persistent threat.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Task Force Wolverine, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), depart base in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle Convoy in Northeast Syria, Dec. 10, 2024 (Picture source: US DoD)


General Kurilla was accompanied by Major General Kevin Leahy, Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), and Brigadier General Michael Brooks, Commander of the Combined Special Operations Joint Task Force-Levant (CSOJTF-L). During the visit, several key sites were inspected, including the al-Hol displaced persons camp in northeastern Syria. Al-Hol, along with al-Roj camp, hosts over 40,000 displaced individuals, many with ties to ISIS. Without coordinated international efforts for repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration, these camps risk becoming ideological hubs for future extremist fighters. This situation underscores the urgent need for a global response to break the cycle of violence in the region.

The Pentagon recently disclosed that approximately 2,000 US troops are currently deployed in Syria, significantly higher than the previously reported figure of 900. These forces include 900 personnel on permanent deployment and 1,100 rotational forces. Their primary mission is to collaborate with the SDF to ensure the lasting defeat of ISIS and prevent its resurgence. General Kurilla also addressed the critical issue of detention facilities managed by the SDF, which hold over 9,000 ISIS fighters from more than 50 countries. He described these detainees as a "literal ISIS army in detention," representing a potential threat without appropriate judicial or diplomatic solutions.

Beyond counter-ISIS operations, General Kurilla reaffirmed CENTCOM's commitment to supporting efforts to repatriate residents of the al-Hol and al-Roj camps to their countries of origin. He also emphasized the importance of international coordination to transfer ISIS fighters to competent authorities in their respective nations for adjudication. This approach reflects the US's broader aim to prevent further destabilization in the region while promoting multilateral solutions.

This visit to Syria was part of an eight-day trip during which General Kurilla toured nine strategic locations, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea, Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, and Syria. These visits sought to strengthen coordination with regional partners and gain firsthand insight into challenges on the ground through direct interactions with local actors. General Kurilla highlighted the importance of such exchanges in assessing both opportunities and obstacles faced by US forces and their allies.

Syria's current geopolitical situation remains highly complex. The country is fragmented into various zones of influence. The regime of Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, controls most of the territory, while the northwest is dominated by rebel groups, particularly in Idlib. The northeast is under the authority of the SDF, supported by the United States. Meanwhile, Turkey maintains a military presence in the north to counter Kurdish forces it regards as terrorist organizations. This mosaic of actors with often conflicting interests complicates stabilization and reconstruction efforts.

The US has both strategic and security interests in Syria. Primarily, Washington seeks to prevent any resurgence of ISIS, which continues to pose a significant threat to regional and global security. Additionally, the US aims to curb the growing influence of Iran and Russia, two major allies of the Syrian regime, while supporting local partners, notably the Kurds. Furthermore, the American presence in Syria helps avert new humanitarian crises and maintain a degree of regional stability, particularly amid heightened tensions among various stakeholders.

The international coalition against ISIS, established in 2014, plays a pivotal role in this strategy. Comprising around 60 countries, this US-led alliance conducts joint military operations, shares strategic intelligence, and provides logistical and humanitarian support. While some members contribute airstrikes or material aid, others focus on training local forces. This diversity of contributions underscores the complexity of counter-terrorism efforts in Syria and Iraq.

In conclusion, General Kurilla's visit highlights ongoing US efforts to maintain pressure on ISIS while collaborating with local and international partners to stabilize the region. The situation in Syria exemplifies the challenges of multilateral coordination in a fractured geopolitical environment, where the interests of various actors continue to intersect. Through CENTCOM, the US underscores the importance of comprehensive strategies to ensure lasting security in the Middle East.


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