PM Barzani, SDF Chief Discuss Rojava De-escalation, ISIS Detainee Transfer to Iraq

PM Barzani, SDF Chief Discuss Rojava De-escalation, ISIS Detainee Transfer to Iraq

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Monday held a phone call with Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), to discuss de-escalation in northeast Syria (Rojava) and the transfer of Islamic State (ISIS) detainees to Iraq.

The call comes amid escalating violence in Syria and warnings from US officials about the potential resurgence of ISIS.

In a post on X, Abdi said that Prime Minister Barzani reaffirmed “the efforts exerted by the Kurdistan Regional Government to support us [Rojava].”

“For our part, we expressed our deep appreciation for the continued support his government has provided to our people, reflecting the spirit of partnership and shared responsibility under these difficult circumstances,” Abdi added.

Escalation in Rojava and ISIS Threat

Since mid-January, the Syrian Arab Army and allied armed groups have launched a large-scale offensive to retake areas in eastern Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and Hasaka, regions that had been under SDF control for nearly a decade.

The SDF, a key ally of the US-led international coalition, played a central role in the territorial defeat of ISIS in 2019. However, much of the territory previously held by Kurdish-led forces has recently been recaptured by Damascus and its allies.

On Wednesday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the transfer of 150 ISIS detainees from a detention facility in Hasaka province to a secure location in Iraq, noting that up to 7,000 ISIS prisoners could eventually be relocated.

US Warns of ISIS Resurgence

Veteran US diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad, former ambassador to Iraq and Afghanistan, warned on Monday of a possible ISIS resurgence amid the unfolding developments in Rojava.

In a post on X, Khalilzad cited what he described as “a very disturbing report” by Hamid al-Shatri, head of Iraq’s National Intelligence Service, warning that ISIS is regaining strength in Syria.

Khalilzad stressed the need for urgent action to “contain and reverse the recent hostility between the Syrian government and the SDF,” warning that continued tensions would “fuel regional instability and strengthen ISIS.”

He also emphasized the need for reform within Syria’s security forces and called for enhanced coordination between Baghdad and Damascus to address the growing threat.

Regional Political Support

Abdi also said that he recently spoke with Bafel Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), who expressed his “support and backing for the resistance of our people and our forces.”

“It fills us with pride to see our people in Sulaymaniyah taking to the streets in massive demonstrations to express their continued support for us,” Abdi said.

Last week, hundreds of people from Sulaimani province traveled to Rojava, while large demonstrations were also held across the province in solidarity with Kurds in northeast Syria.