In an interview with Cecilia Udden from Sweden’s State Radio, Mazloum Abdi, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander, said that Kurds felt abandoned by the world following their defeat of the Islamic State (ISIS). He warned that the lack of support for the Kurds may cause ISIS to reassert itself.

Noting that many countries have not been supporting Kurds for the reconstruction of the country, Commander Abdi criticized the countries that have remained silent regarding the incidents in north-eastern Syria. “ISIS is a common problem to the world and fighting against the mindset of ISIS is a cause that everyone shall give support”, said Abdi, noting that the ideological fight against ISIS was harder than military combat.

Abdi noted that they have founded sixteen social care centres, where psychologists and other experts focus on recovering the children, who were exposed to serious brainwashing sessions by ISIS. These children had been subjected to radical thoughts imposed by ISIS, when ISIS conquered the region. “However, we lack the adequate sources and experts required to carry out all these tasks. ISIS gangs might gain power and reassert themselves if the problems of unemployment as well as the problems caused by the lack of social service provisions, electricity and water remain unresolved”.

Abdi warned that attacks and embargoes on north-eastern Syria may allow ISIS to gain power and reassert itself. Any support for the Kurds would be for the benefit of the whole world, Abdi noted.