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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The US-led coalition is to remain in northeast Syria, or Rojava, until a complete victory is achieved over the Islamic State (ISIS), the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) general commander said on Tuesday, adding that it will also support the stability of the autonomous region.
“It was emphasized that the international coalition forces would remain in the region to achieve complete victory over ISIS and support stability and empower the Autonomous Administration,” Mazloum Abdi tweeted on Tuesday following a meeting with a US delegation led by Joey Hood, the acting assistant secretary for Near Eastern affairs.
Despite its territorial defeat in Syria in March 2019, ISIS remains active in the northeast, particularly in Deir-ez Zor, which borders Iraq and is controlled by both regime forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The terror group often targets the SDF in attacks in the province, and in neighbouring Hasaka.
The multi-ethnic SDF has carried out several military operations on the Syria-Iraq border against ISIS. Despite coordination and cooperation between the SDF and the Iraqi army, ISIS has been able to smuggle fighters and weapons through the border in recent years.
Fourteen alleged members of the group were arrested in an operation last week.
The US delegation also met with officials in the Kurdistan Region before travelling to Rojava.
On Sunday, Hood met with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, during which he reiterated the US’s support for Peshmerga forces in facing ISIS, according to a statement from the PM’s office.
“Both sides emphasized the importance of continuing talks between Kurdish parties in Syria in order to elevate the political process,” added the statement.
Earlier this month, Hood met with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani.
“The delegation reiterated the United States’ appreciation and praise for the role of the Kurdistan Region and the Peshmerga in defeating ISIS and confronting terrorism,” read a statement from the Presidency. “It was underlined that ISIS still remains a serious threat that must be confronted decisively, and that regional peace and security requires collective efforts and cooperation.”
In its weekly propaganda newspaper al-Naba, ISIS claimed on Thursday that it had conducted 62 attacks across Iraq between May 6 and May 12, killing and injuring 67 people, along with 30 attacks in Syria, killing and injuring 34 people.
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