On October 16, 2025, an ISIS bomb targeted a Syrian Energy Ministry bus, claiming the lives of four security personnel and injuring nine others. This attack underscores the continued threat ISIS poses in Syria, especially after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024. Despite a shifting political landscape, ISIS remains active, and its assaults are on the rise.
The U.S. Department of Defense reiterated its commitment to counter ISIS, with Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stating that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) will work alongside regional allies to thwart any resurgence of the group. This determination follows significant operations, such as the precision airstrikes on December 7, 2024, where U.S. forces targeted over 75 ISIS sites. While military actions aim to diminish ISIS’s influence, reports indicate that the group has already adjusted to the changing dynamics. In 2025 alone, ISIS claimed 33 attacks, signaling an escalation since U.S. forces were reduced from 2,000 to about 700 personnel.
Many of these attacks have targeted areas controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), particularly in regions like Deir ez-Zor, historically a stronghold for ISIS. Concerns are emerging among regional analysts and SDF leaders alike about the consequences of a complete U.S. withdrawal. Aram Hanna, a member of the SDF General Command and a veteran in the battle against ISIS, articulated the pervasive influence of extremist ideologies. He stated, “They are ideology… They are a way of thinking,” suggesting that the threat from ISIS today is as much about mindset as it is about military might.
The situation becomes even more complicated with the rise of Ahmed al-Sharaa as the new leader, a figure with past ties to extremist groups. This connection has raised alarms about the potential for Syria to become a new hub for extremist ideologies akin to those of ISIS. In fact, many residents worry that the country might devolve into a regime reminiscent of ISIS, if not by name, then in ideological practice.
Lana Hussain, a female YPJ soldier with frontline experience, offered a stark warning: “Imagine if all Syria became Idlib.” Idlib has transformed into a sanctuary for extremist factions, including Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and is now seeing an uptick in ISIS activity. Hussain recounted alarming incidents, such as instances where women imprisoned for their association with ISIS attempted escape to Idlib, believing it would offer them refuge. This shift portrays Idlib not only as a sanctuary for ISIS sympathizers but also as a potential launching pad for future attacks.
A troubling aspect of the situation is the plight of women and children associated with ISIS, now trapped in camps across Syria. Many of these women, coming from countries like the UK and other parts of Europe, remain stuck as their governments decline to repatriate them. Their indefinite detention in these camps fosters an environment susceptible to radicalization, birthing a new generation that may perpetuate violence. As Hussain remarked, “This is more dangerous than being in Idlib,” highlighting the risk that many of these individuals pose if they escape or are released.
The SDF faces a daunting challenge as it juggles multiple fronts: ongoing skirmishes with government forces and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, alongside the continuous threat from ISIS. Hussain noted that the pretext of political conflict always provides ISIS an advantageous window to regroup and reclaim territory. “Whenever we had any problem with the regime, they used that time to rise again,” she explained, connecting deteriorating security conditions with the reemergence of ISIS.
The situation in Syria remains complex. As it stands, ISIS is not just a terrorist organization but a manifestation of deeper, systemic ideological issues that continue to afflict the region’s stability. The ongoing violence and the struggles of nations to respond effectively reveal how intertwined these factors are. While military campaigns aim to neutralize ISIS’s physical presence, addressing the underlying ideologies that fuel such extremism proves to be a far greater challenge.
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