The Islamic State group has issued a call to its fighters in Syria to confront the newly established authorities in a recently released audio message from its spokesperson, marking his first communication in over two years. In the recording, Abu Huzaifa al-Ansari emphasizes the necessity for IS members to prioritize the struggle against what he refers to as “the new Syrian regime,” which he characterizes as a secular government supported by a national army.
Al-Ansari’s last recorded message was shared in January 2024, where he incited his followers to target Jews worldwide in retaliation for Israeli military actions in Gaza. This recent message reflects the shifting dynamics on the ground in Syria following the ousting of long-time leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The new governing body, which has connections to Al-Qaeda, has made efforts to distance itself from its extremist roots, striving to project a more moderate stance.
The current Syrian leadership has also allied with the US-led coalition aimed at combatting IS remnants in the region, coordinating operations against the group’s remaining foothold in Syria. The rise of IS in 2014 was marked by widespread atrocities, including massacres and the systemic sexual enslavement of women and girls. The organization was declared defeated in Iraq in 2017, and two years later in Syria, largely due to military support from US-led forces and Kurdish groups.
Tensions have recently escalated as Syrian troops have made advancements against Kurdish forces, raising concerns about the future of thousands of IS prisoners detained in Kurdish-run facilities. In response to ongoing security uncertainties, the United States has recently transferred over 5,700 IS detainees from Syria to prisons in Iraq.
In a significant development, a camp that was previously home to families of IS fighters has been cleared out, with residents either departing or being relocated by the new Syrian authorities. This series of events underscores a volatile landscape as various factions vie for power and influence amidst the remnants of IS’s brutal legacy.
