Damascus and Washington’s partnership could be crucial in the fight against ISIS in Syria, according to analysts. Experts speaking on DZWatch’s program ‘Beyond the Headlines’ emphasized the importance of coordination between the two nations to effectively dismantle the terrorist organization. They predict a potential increase in collaboration moving forward.
Damascus has reportedly welcomed the recent U.S. military operation targeting ISIS in the Syrian desert. This operation was launched in response to an attack in Palmyra, rural Homs, which tragically resulted in the deaths of three American citizens.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry stated, ‘Syria affirms its unwavering commitment to combating ISIS and ensuring that it has no safe havens within the country.’ The ministry further called upon the United States and member states of the international coalition against ISIS to support Syria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Dr. Kamal Abdo, an academic and political researcher, asserted that there are existing channels for operational coordination between Damascus and Washington. He estimates that four operational rooms facilitate security, logistical, and military coordination in the fight against ISIS. He suggested that the recent U.S. strike on ISIS positions may have been coordinated with the Syrian government.
However, Dr. Abdo questioned the timing of the U.S. action, asking why the United States, with its intelligence capabilities and knowledge of ISIS’s locations and weapons caches, had not targeted the group before the Palmyra attack. He noted that the Syrian government is fully prepared to cooperate with the Americans to defeat ISIS, but that collaboration needs to reach higher levels. He emphasized that Washington now recognizes that airstrikes alone will not eradicate the terrorist group.
Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Heino Klinck, believes the United States possesses the capabilities to reach and destroy terrorist hideouts. He stated that the U.S.’s presence and capabilities in the region suggest a continued focus on targeting ISIS in Syria. Klinck suggested that Washington might utilize some of its existing aircraft and fighters in the region for these operations. While acknowledging the U.S.’s extensive military experience in the region, spanning over 20 years, Klinck cautioned that ISIS cannot be eliminated with a single military strike.
