Could Turkey’s military operations in Syria bring ISIS to life?

Shaimaa Hefzi

Germany and other European countries have warned that the Turkish military operations in northern Syria could destabilize the region and give ISIS a kiss of life once again.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the offensive, dubbed “Operation Peace Spring,” is targeting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and ISIS, aka Daesh.

Turkey has been threatening for months to launch attacks on east of the Euphrates, which is controlled by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Some 12,000 suspected terrorists in detention centers guarded by Kurdish forces are now a second priority.

“The main beneficiary of the withdrawal of the American forces is ISIS,” said Fawaz Gerges, a professor of Middle Eastern politics at the London School of Economics.

“You’re going to see — and I hope I’m wrong — ISIS fighters and sleeping cells coming out and trying to really capitalize on the violence if and when Turkey invades northeastern Syria,” Gerges said. For ISIS, “it’s a godsend.”

Karin Von Hippel, director-general of the Royal United Services Institute think tank in London, said if the Kurds withdrew and left ISIS prison camps to be attacked by extremists. “ISIS could just take over the prisons if the Kurds leave,” she said.

President Trump had repeatedly demanded that European countries, particularly France and Germany, take back their citizens who joined ISIS.  Trump threatened to “release” ISIS fighters back to their country of origin.

There are some 8,000-10,000 ISIS fighters, who are jailed in Iraq and Syria, in addition to 2,000 foreign ISIS fighters held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.

Political analyst Khalid al-Zaatar tweeted that that the Kurds are an effective force in Syria, pointing out that Turkey is trying to weaken them in a bid to strengthen terrorist groups like Daesh.