recent Turkey’s incursion into northern Syria could enable hundreds of experienced ISIS fighters to go free because the US’ long-time Kurdish allies, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), have to change their focus from ISIS to self-defence, CBS News reports.
Donald Trump believes that ISIS escapees become a problem for the European countries after the Turkish offensive, which began on Wednesday. About 2,500 of the ISIS detainees held in Syria are believed to be highly dangerous foreign fighters from mostly Europe. According to Trump, it is pretty logically they will decide to be back to their native countries, in Europe.
There are more than 10,000 ISIS detainees held in jails across northern Syria run the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This week, Kurds had warned that a Turkish offensive against them would force them to turn their attention to self-defence, not keeping the prisoners.
About 2,500 of the ISIS detainees held in Syria are believed to be highly dangerous foreign fighters from Europe and elsewhere. On Wednesday, the U.S. military confirmed it had taken custody of two of ISIS prisoners, a pair of the UK nationals suspected of the brutal murder of American hostages.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump seemed unconcerned by warnings that thousands of other ISIS fighters could escape amid mounting chaos after the start of Turkish military ops in Syria. No need to underestimate that ISIS fighters have their family members who are held in separate facilities in northern Syria, too. As a result, there are too many brain-washed persons who familiarize or blindly support ISIS ideas.
“Well they’re going to be escaping to Europe, that’s where they want to go, they want to go back to their homes,” president Trump said at the White House on Wednesday.
Turkey continues its offensive against ISIS in northern Syria
On Friday morning, Reuters reported on Turkish jets and artillery struck around Syria’s Ras al Ain. Gunfire could also be heard inside the town, one of two border ones that have been the focus of the offensive.
The International Rescue Committee aid group said 64,000 people in Syria have fled since Wednesday when the Turkish campaign began. The towns of Ras al Ain and Darbasiya, some 60 km to the east, were largely deserted.
