ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A Yazidi activist on Thursday warned that a potential withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and Syria could lead to the reemergence of the Islamic State (ISIS) in both countries, fearing that the group could target Yazidis again. ISIS took control of swathes of Syrian and Iraqi territories in 2014, massacring and abducting thousands of Yazidis. Murad Ismail, a Yazidi activist and president of Sinjar Academy, told Rudaw’s Dilbxwin Dara on Thursday that a potential withdrawal of American troops in the region could expose his ethno-religious group to potential danger. “I am one of those who believe that [a potential] US withdrawal from Iraq and Syria will lead to the resurgence of ISIS in the region because ISIS is still active in Syria and Iraq. Thousands of ISIS members operate in these two countries,” he said. US troops based in Syria and Iraq have come under at least 130 drone and rocket attacks by pro-Iran militia groups since mid-October, according to the Pentagon. Washington has carried out several retaliatory airstrikes against these groups, killing many. These developments have spurred militia groups and Shiite politicians to intensify their calls for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. Earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani announced efforts to establish a bilateral committee aimed at ending the presence of the US-led coalition against ISIS in the country. Approximately 2,500 American troops are stationed in Iraq, and 900 are in Syria, leading an international coalition known as Operation Inherent Resolve. This coalition has played a crucial role in supporting Kurdish, Iraqi, and local Syrian forces in their efforts against ISIS. Notably, ISIS, which once controlled significant portions of Iraq and Syria, was declared territorially defeated in 2017 and 2019, respectively. “The US withdrawal will create a security vacuum in the region. The jailed members of ISIS could escape, regroup, and control territories - just like what they did in 2014,” warned Ismail. He emphasized the necessity of maintaining the presence of US troops for the protection of minorities, particularly the Yazidis. Ismail voiced concern that a US withdrawal could lead to instability, providing an opportunity for groups like ISIS to exploit the situation. He fears that if Americans leave the region, these extremist groups could gain control over certain areas, such as Shingal - the hometown of Yazidis.
