International and regional sources have warned of the possibility that the Islamic State (ISIS) could exploit the potential collapse of the Syrian regime's structure to stage a comeback, both in Syria and neighboring Iraq, amid growing indications of new field activity by the group.
Reuters quoted more than 20 officials from various countries, including diplomats and security experts from Syria, Iraq, the United States, and Europe, on Thursday, stating that the group has already begun reactivating its networks by revitalizing its fighters, identifying operational targets, distributing weapons, and intensifying recruitment and propaganda efforts.
According to data from SITE Intelligence, the group has carried out 38 attacks inside Syria since the beginning of 2025, with this number expected to exceed 90 by the end of the year, representing nearly a third of the total number of attacks recorded in 2024.
Conversely, security officials from Syria and Iraq, who have been monitoring the group's movements for years, reported that at least 12 major plots were thwarted this year as part of ongoing efforts to combat the group's resurgence.
A US Department of Defense official, along with Syrian officials, revealed that the United States is sharing intelligence with Damascus "to a limited extent," without clarifying whether this information included the recent operations in Aleppo.
In this context, a spokesman for the Iraqi Prime Minister and a US defense official indicated that the combat capabilities of ISIS cells have significantly declined. However, a number of Arab and Western officials warned against underestimating the threat, stressing that the organization remains highly resilient and capable of exploiting security gaps.
Two European officials expressed growing concerns about the return of foreign fighters, noting that European intelligence agencies have recently monitored the arrival of a limited number of individuals suspected of belonging to extremist groups inside Syria, without conclusive evidence of their direct connection to ISIS.
A US Department of Defense official affirmed his country's commitment to continuing efforts to prevent the group's resurgence, emphasizing the continued presence of "our trusted Syrian partners" on the ground. He added that Washington is "closely monitoring the performance of President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government, which has so far demonstrated a commitment to sound positions," according to the official.
Zaman al-Wasl
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