The resurgence of the Islamic State (ISIS) in eastern Syria is rapidly eroding what was once considered one of the United States’ most significant counterterrorism victories. Since the drawdown of U.S. forces, ISIS has transformed into a mobile insurgency that no longer seeks to control territory openly but instead thrives in chaos, launching ambushes, assassinations, and extortion operations across Deir Ezzour province. Its recent attacks have become more frequent and deadly than in any year since 2019, as militants exploit the security vacuum created by the collapse of the Assad regime and the diminishing U.S. footprint.
This resurgence is compounded by dangerous political fractures. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), once a close U.S. partner, is struggling to hold vast territories while guarding tens of thousands of detained ISIS militants and their families. Local Sunni Arab communities, historically divided between supporting ISIS or resisting it are now becoming fertile ground for recruitment due to distrust of Kurdish governance and rising lawlessness. Armed cells operate in secrecy, supported by parts of the population either out of ideological sympathy or fear, collecting taxes and enforcing control through intimidation and targeted killings.
Meanwhile, the Assad government, weakened and fragmented, has failed to reestablish security or public trust. Instead of uniting against a common threat, former enemies, tribal militias, the SDF, remnants of the Syrian army, and foreign-backed groups are competing for control. The reduction of U.S. military involvement has further destabilized the situation, emboldening ISIS fighters who see American withdrawal as both a strategic victory and a recruitment tool. Commanders warn that ISIS is not only rebuilding but actively preparing to expand operations beyond Syria.
What is unfolding is not just a regional security issue, it is the reconstitution of a global threat. ISIS is leveraging the political breakdown of Syria to reinsert itself as a powerful insurgent force, with ambitions to strike internationally. The U.S. claims that troop withdrawals signify success, but on the ground, it is clear that this retreat is creating a power vacuum that ISIS is eagerly filling. Without renewed international engagement, eastern Syria risks becoming once again a launchpad for global jihadism proving that the “defeat” of ISIS was never permanent, only paused.
Reference:
Raghavan, S. (2025, October 22). Islamic State rises again in Syria, filling a void left by U.S. The Washington Post. https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/islamic-state-rises-again-syria-b1b76045?st=TGyEpH