“The next administration must make sure the fall of Assad does not lead to the resurgence of ISIS in Syria,” outgoing US President Joe Biden declared at the State Department on Monday. With his term ending on 20 January, Biden’s administration has ramped up support for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to stabilise northeast Syria, counter ISIS threats, and deter Turkish incursions.
National Security Advisor Jacob Sullivan reinforced Biden’s concerns during a White House press briefing, warning that “ISIS is trying to use the fall of Assad to regenerate after years of sustained pressure and the degradation of its networks.” The Biden administration has increased the US military presence in Syria to 2,000 troops, aiming to consolidate gains against ISIS and maintain stability in the volatile region.
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Turkey remains a staunch critic of US cooperation with the SDF, citing its links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Ankara and Washington designate as a terrorist organisation. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has threatened to “eliminate” the SDF if it does not disband. Meanwhile, Turkey-backed militias have escalated operations in SDF-held areas, exacerbating tensions and raising fears of further instability.
The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024 has introduced new challenges. The rise of Ha’yat-Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group with ties to al-Qaeda, has left the SDF as the United States’ most reliable partner in combating ISIS. Analysts warn that cutting US support for the SDF could jeopardise years of progress and create opportunities for extremist groups to thrive.
Henri J. Barkey, a senior fellow for Middle East studies, stressed the importance of the SDF’s role in managing ISIS detention camps. “The prisons holding ISIS detainees, particularly Al-Hol, are a ticking time bomb. The SDF have done a commendable job, but they need resources and support to maintain control,” Barkey said. He added that severing ties with the SDF could destabilise the region and create a power vacuum.
As Donald Trump prepares to assume office, his administration faces pressure to balance US commitments in Syria with strained relations with Turkey. While Trump’s first term saw abrupt troop withdrawals that destabilised the region, his new cabinet includes figures with pro-Kurdish leanings, suggesting a potential for policy continuity.
Advocacy groups and think tanks like the Middle East Forum have launched campaigns urging bipartisan support for the SDF and sanctions against Turkey. These efforts underscore the strategic importance of US involvement in Syria to counter ISIS and safeguard vulnerable communities.
The Biden administration’s final efforts to strengthen the US-SDF alliance highlight the stakes in the ongoing fight against ISIS. The Trump administration will now decide whether to maintain these gains or risk destabilising a region still grappling with the fallout from Assad’s collapse and ongoing Turkish aggression.
