Have you ever wondered what it feels like to patrol a road where danger lurks behind every dune? For the Kurdish security forces in northeastern Syria, this is their reality. Recent reports paint a grim picture: ISIS is creeping back into the spotlight, launching deadly attacks that threaten the fragile stability of a region already scarred by years of conflict. Just last weekend, a patrol was ambushed, leaving three members of the Kurdish Asayish security forces dead and one wounded. It’s a stark reminder that the shadow of terror hasn’t fully lifted.
The Resurgent Threat of ISIS in Syria
The Islamic State, once thought to be a fading force, is proving it still has claws. In 2025 alone, the group has claimed responsibility for over 100 attacks in northeastern Syria, most targeting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). These aren’t random skirmishes—they’re calculated strikes meant to destabilize and intimidate. I’ve always found it chilling how a group can lie dormant, only to reemerge when the world’s attention shifts elsewhere. The question is: what’s fueling this comeback?
A Landmine on the Road to Stability
One of the most recent attacks occurred on a dusty stretch between Raqqa and Hasakeh. A patrol of Asayish forces was hit by a landmine, a weapon as cowardly as it is deadly. Three lives were lost, and the wounded survivor is still fighting to recover. According to security analysts, this wasn’t a one-off. ISIS cells are increasingly relying on improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to maximize damage with minimal exposure. It’s a tactic that screams desperation but also cunning.
Explosives allow small cells to strike hard and vanish fast, keeping larger forces on edge.
– Conflict researcher
The use of landmines isn’t just about destruction; it’s psychological warfare. Imagine driving down a road, knowing any bump could be your last. For the Kurds, who’ve fought tooth and nail to carve out a semblance of autonomy, these attacks chip away at their sense of security. And yet, they’re not backing down.
Targeting the New Syrian Regime
The resurgence isn’t limited to Kurdish areas. On May 30, ISIS struck the forces of Syria’s new transitional government, which took power after Bashar al-Assad’s ouster in December 2024. In Suwayda province, an IED targeted a Syrian Army patrol, killing one soldier and injuring three. This marked the group’s first public attack on the new regime, a bold statement that they’re not just a Kurdish problem but a national one.
Less than two weeks later, another attack hit near the same area, this time targeting the US-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA). One dead, three wounded. The pattern is clear: ISIS is testing the waters, probing the vulnerabilities of a country in transition. What’s unsettling is how they’re exploiting the chaos of a new government still finding its footing.
- Attack 1: May 30, Suwayda province, Syrian Army patrol, 1 killed, 3 injured.
- Attack 2: Early June, Suwayda province, FSA patrol, 1 killed, 3 injured.
It’s almost as if ISIS is saying, “We’re still here, and we’re not picky about our targets.” The new government, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is now in their crosshairs, and that’s a complication nobody saw coming.
The Kurdish Response: Fighting Back
The Kurds aren’t sitting idly by. The SDF, a battle-hardened force, has ramped up its operations against ISIS. Just last week, they captured a cell in Deir Ezzor province and thwarted an attempt to plant another landmine. One ISIS operative was killed in the process—a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. Sweep operations are ongoing, with Asayish combing the region for clues and culprits.
I can’t help but admire the resilience here. The Kurds have been through hell—years of war, betrayal by allies, and now this. Yet they keep pushing forward, patrolling those dangerous roads and rooting out threats. It’s the kind of grit that makes you wonder what you’d do in their shoes.
Our fight against terror is unrelenting. Every road, every village, we’ll keep going.
– Kurdish security official
HTS and the New Government’s Role
The new Syrian government, led by HTS, is a wild card. Once a group with ties to al-Qaeda, they’re now trying to present themselves as a legitimate governing force. Some analysts are skeptical, arguing it’s a facade to gain Western support and lift sanctions. Others see a pragmatic shift—a group trying to stabilize a war-torn country while fending off threats like ISIS.
HTS has joined the fight against ISIS, participating in operations alongside the SDF. It’s a strange alliance, given their history, but war makes for odd bedfellows. The bigger question is whether HTS can balance governance with security. If they falter, ISIS could exploit the gaps, and that’s a scenario nobody wants.
Why Now? The Roots of Resurgence
So, why is ISIS rearing its head now? Several factors are at play. First, the power vacuum left by Assad’s fall has created fertile ground for chaos. Second, the transitional government is still consolidating power, leaving room for opportunists. Third, ISIS has always thrived in areas where trust in authority is low—northeastern Syria, with its complex ethnic and political dynamics, fits the bill.
| Factor | Impact |
| Power Vacuum | Creates instability, allowing ISIS to operate. |
| New Government | Limited control, distracted by governance challenges. |
| Ethnic Tensions | Fuels distrust, making recruitment easier for ISIS. |
In my view, the timing feels almost too perfect. ISIS knows how to exploit a distracted world. With global attention on other crises, they’re slipping through the cracks, rebuilding their networks one bomb at a time.
What’s Next for Syria?
The road ahead is murky. The Kurds, the SDF, and even HTS are stepping up their game, but ISIS isn’t going away without a fight. The group’s ability to adapt—using small, agile cells and low-tech weapons like IEDs—makes them a persistent threat. For the Kurds, it’s about more than just survival; it’s about protecting a hard-won autonomy that’s constantly under siege.
Perhaps the most unsettling part is the uncertainty. Will the new government hold? Can the Kurds keep up the fight? And what happens if ISIS gains more ground? These are questions that keep analysts up at night, and for good reason.
As I see it, the resilience of the Kurdish forces is a beacon of hope in a dark landscape. But hope alone won’t cut it. They need support—logistical, financial, maybe even moral. The world can’t afford to look away again.
The attacks in Syria are a wake-up call. ISIS isn’t just a ghost from the past; it’s a living, breathing threat that thrives on chaos. For the Kurds, the fight is personal. For the rest of us, it’s a reminder that peace is never guaranteed—not when groups like this are still out there, waiting for their moment.
