Kassioun Editorial 1224: How Do We Stop the Possibility of ISIS Chaos?

The risks of a resurgence of ISIS activity are real and tangible, and can be seen in the following:

First: The videos and advertisements released by ISIS, including those accusing the new administration of “apostasy”, meaning “declaring jihad against it”, and inciting its supporters, especially those with an Islamic jihadist background, to fight against it.

Second: The American approach to withdrawing its forces from Syria, partially and gradually, and from specific areas that could become launching points for funding and supplying ISIS, in much the same way that Mosul was handed over to ISIS in Iraq.

Third: Successive American warnings, including reliance on “reliable” intelligence about attacks and assaults that could occur in Syria, are a common American method of preparing for such events and exploiting them politically in the appropriate direction later.

Fourth: Weapons smuggling operations towards the Syrian Badia (dessert), one of which was uncovered and said to be headed towards Sweida, when in fact its final destination was the Syrian Badia.

Fifth: The rise in the level of internal contradictions among groups with different visions that exist within the government today.

Sixth: The rise of regional tensions with “Israel”, particularly the Turkish-“Israeli” contradiction, coupled with Trump’s desire to reach an understanding with Turkey, all of which somewhat restricts “Israel’s” ability to engage in direct aggressive intervention in Syria, prompting it to intensify its indirect aggressive interventions, the most important of which is certainly ISIS.

If we put all these factors on the table for discussion, and add to them the American and Western working methods that were made clear in the Security Council session on April 25, as well as the tricks of the IMF and the World Bank, and the continuation of sanctions, then it is possible to come up with a set of necessary conclusions to move the country from this dangerous stage to safety, mainly:

First: We should not rely on Western funding or the lifting of sanctions. Instead, we should rely on domestic resources and seek assistance from countries that have a genuine interest in Syria’s stability and unity.

Second: Resolving the issue of foreign fighters has become increasingly urgent, as at least some of them could become ISIS reserves, threatening not only the new administration but also the country’s stability, unity, and civil peace.

Third: None of the major tasks can be resolved without relying on and drawing on the Syrian people. This requires moving as quickly as possible away from the narrow, sectarian, and exclusive mentality, and away from the narrow-minded, and weak-sighted mindsets. We must move towards a broad national arena that embraces and supports all Syrians, through a general national conference that achieves genuine participation and leads to a comprehensive, balanced national unity government.

(النسخة العربية)