With Assad Regime Toppled By Islamist Rebels, US Now Focuses On Preventing ISIS Resurgence In Syria

United States will continue its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State, US deputy assistant secretary of defence for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro said on Sunday (8 December).

Following the announcement by Syrian Islamist rebels of Bashar al-Assad's government's fall, Shapiro urged all stakeholders to protect civilians, particularly minorities, and to respect international norms.

"We are aware that the chaotic and dynamic circumstances on the ground in Syria could give ISIS space to find the ability to become active, to plan external operations, and we're determined to work with those partners to continue to degrade their capabilities," he told the Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrain's capital, news agency Reuters reported.

"(We're determined) to ensure (Islamic State's) enduring defeat, to ensure the secure detention of ISIS fighters and the repatriation of displaced persons," Shapiro added.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a key force behind the rebel gains in western Syria, previously operated as an al Qaeda affiliate under the name Nusra Front.

Its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, distanced the group from the global jihadist network in 2016.

Western nations, long critical of Assad's regime, now face the challenge of engaging with a prospective new government where HTS, a globally designated terrorist organisation, is likely to play a significant role.

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