IS fighters in Syria could break free amid Trump aid cut, terrorism expert warns

Source: The Guardian

IS fighters in Syria could break free amid Trump aid cut, terrorism expert warns

Prediction by ex M16 counter-terror director comes as security paused around two main detention facilities

Patrick Wintour and Dan Sabbagh
Tue 28 Jan 2025 20.01 GMT
Last modified on Tue 28 Jan 2025 22.23 GMT

Donald Trump has thrown into doubt the security and administration of the main two detention facilities in north-east Syria that hold thousands of Islamic State fighters, the former counter-terrorism director of M16 Richard Barrett says.

The state of limbo has been caused in the short term by the US president unexpectedly suspending all USAid funding for 90 days, and by long-term uncertainty over his willingness to retain troops in Syria.

It emerged that all security and administration around al-Hol and al-Roj, the main two detention facilities, was withdrawn for the several days after funding of the camp’s humanitarian and security work was suddenly cut.

It appears funding as a stopgap has been transferred from the frozen US aid budget to the Global Coalition to Defeat Isis, a military alliance of dozens of countries including the US.

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/28/is-fighters-in-syria-could-break-free-amid-trump-aid-cut-terrorism-expert-warns