Current:Home > FinanceTop general leading U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in Syria warns of ISIS resurgence -Core Financial Strategies
Top general leading U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in Syria warns of ISIS resurgence
View
Date:2025-04-12 17:26:40
The commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces warned Thursday there's been a "spike" in ISIS activity in Syria recently, as ISIS tries to take advantage of tensions in the Middle East.
Gen. Mazloum Abdi Kobane, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, told reporters in a Zoom briefing Thursday that the escalation of attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed forces since October has impeded their efforts to prevent ISIS from resurging.
"We're seeing that ISIS is taking the benefit from all these attacks, and we have seen a spike in movements of ISIS," he told reporters through a translator.
The SDF and the U.S. work together in Syria in the global coalition to defeat ISIS. The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria, 2,500 in Iraq, and a few hundred in Jordan as a part of that mission. Those forces have been attacked at least 168 times by Iranian-backed groups since Oct. 17.
Kobane said that if U.S. forces withdraw, there would be "chaos" and a gap that many actors would want to exploit. He said he has been reassured by U.S. officials that the U.S. is not planning on withdrawing from Syria anytime soon.
At the same time, Iraq has begun discussions with the U.S. about an eventual transition away from the coalition mission to a bilateral security mission, which could include a reduction in the number of U.S. troops in Iraq.
The talks have been expected since August but come as the Iraqi government has expressed concern over retaliatory airstrikes the U.S. has launched inside of Iraq.
Gen. Kobane told reporters Thursday that he's concerned that the U.S. presence in Iraq is linked to the presence in Syria and that a withdrawal from Iraq would mean a withdrawal from Syria that would make the SDF more vulnerable.
- In:
- ISIS
- Iraq
- Syria
Eleanor Watson is a CBS News reporter covering the Pentagon.
TwitterveryGood! (81637)
Related
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Powerball winning numbers for May 1: Jackpot rises to $203 million with no winners
- A retired teacher saw inspiration in Columbia’s protests. Eric Adams called her an outside agitator
- Nick Viall and Natalie Joy Cancel Honeymoon After “Nightmare” Turn of Events
- DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
- Killing of 4 officers underscores risks police face when serving warrants
- What helps with nausea? Medical experts offer tips for feeling better
- Richard Tandy, longtime Electric Light Orchestra keyboardist, dies at 76
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- How to navigate the virtual hiring landscape and land a job: Ask HR
Ranking
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- North Carolina Republicans seek hundreds of millions of dollars more for school vouchers
- Say hello (again) to EA Sports College Football. The beloved video-game behemoth is back
- DEI destroyer? Trump vows to crush 'anti-white' racism if he wins 2024 election
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- EA Sports College Football 25 will have various broadcasters, Kirk Herbstreit confirms
- Where is the SIM card in my iPhone? Here's how to remove it easily.
- What is May's birthstone? A guide to the colorful gem and its symbolism
Recommendation
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Exxon Criticized ICN Stories Publicly, But Privately, Didn’t Dispute The Findings
Body found in duffel bag in Philadelphia identified as 4-year-old reported missing in December: Reports
Prince William gives rare health update about Princess Kate amid her cancer diagnosis
Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
Body of 5th missing worker found more than a month after Baltimore bridge collapse, officials say
'Love You Forever' is being called 'unsettling'. These kids books are just as questionable
House committee delays vote on bill to allow inmates to participate in parole hearings