Footage shows former ISIS fighters being bused out of Syrian detention camps, heightening fears about Shamima Begum’s imminent release. Approximately 10,000 individuals remain detained, and President Trump’s potential troop withdrawal could jeopardize security. Filmmaker Andrew Drury cites Trump as a critical influence on Begum’s return, while regional tensions involving Kurdish forces and HTS complicate the situation.
Recent footage verified by the Daily Express shows buses transporting former Islamic State (ISIS) fighters out of detention camps in Syria, raising concerns about Shamima Begum’s potential release. Approximately 10,000 individuals associated with ISIS, including ex-fighters and their families, are detained in two facilities in northeast Syria, alongside 66 other Britons linked to ISIS, including Begum, who left the UK to join ISIS as a teenager in 2015.
As international tensions rise, President Trump’s comments about withdrawing U.S. troops from the region have alarmed the international community. American troop withdrawal could weaken the Kurdish Syrian Defence Force (SDF), responsible for guarding the ISIS camps, and make them vulnerable to attacks from the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) government, which has connections to ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
Filmmaker Andrew Drury, who has met with Begum multiple times, suggests that Trump may influence her release. He stated, “In the 10 years since she went to Syria, I think this is the closest Shamima is to returning to Britain. Trump is her best chance of a ticket out of there”. Drury posited that if Trump pressures the UK to take her back, Britain may feel compelled to comply despite judicial rulings against her.
Domestically, UK officials are reportedly reconsidering foreign policy decisions made by the White House amid various international issues, including support for Ukraine and actions in Gaza. The Kurds, who aid in the fight against ISIS, maintain control over the northeast of Syria, but face threats from HTS, which has called for the SDF to disarm during ongoing regional conflicts.
The situation is further complicated by Turkey’s support for HTS and hostility toward ethnic Kurds, as well as ongoing skirmishes between these groups. As sporadic fighting arises, the presence of U.S. troops plays a crucial role in preventing a full-scale war in the area. Recently, CENTCOM has reported strikes against ISIS and al-Qaeda threats in both Syria and Iraq, reaffirming their commitment to counter-terrorism efforts.
In summary, the potential release of Shamima Begum from her detention in Syria raises significant concerns, particularly in the context of U.S. foreign policy under President Trump. His influence could alter the UK’s stance on her return, despite past judicial rulings. The precarious situation of the SDF guarding ISIS camps is intensified by regional power dynamics involving HTS and Turkey, with ongoing U.S. military presence serving as a stabilizing factor.
Original Source: www.express.co.uk
