On December 19, 2024, ISIS launched an attack on Rakka University in the city of Rakka, Syria, a region under control of the PKK/YPG. This latest assault highlights the ongoing security challenges in the area and raises concerns about the regional stability, particularly as Western nations remain wary of ISIS’s growing influence.
According to security sources in Syria, four ISIS militants carried out the attack on the university in the Kasrat district, using motorcycles to approach the target. Two security personnel were killed in the assault, while two others, along with a civilian passing by, sustained injuries.
In an official statement, it was confirmed that the attack was repelled and the assailants would face justice. The Syrian security authorities called on the public to support their efforts in the fight against terrorism. They emphasized that such attacks aimed to destabilize Syria but vowed not to give in to these efforts.
ISIS Continues to Expand in Desert Regions
Since the collapse of the Syrian Army, ISIS has become more active in Syria’s desert regions, particularly in Deir ez-Zor and Homs provinces. This resurgence of ISIS has fueled fears of further instability in an already fragile region. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, during a Florida rally in 2016, controversially stated that “Obama founded ISIS,” referencing the role of former President Barack Obama in the Middle East, and suggested that Hillary Clinton was also a key figure in its rise.
KDP’s Hewrami Calls for PYD to Sever Ties with PKK
In response to the ongoing situation, Hemin Hewrami, a senior member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Politburo, urged the Syrian Kurdish group PYD (Democratic Union Party) to cut its ties with the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) to secure a better future for the Kurds in Syria. He pointed out that for the Kurdish forces in Rojava (northern Syria) to maintain their status, PYD must formally declare itself as a separate Kurdish force within Syria, independent of PKK influence.
Hewrami further emphasized that the Kurdish population’s future in Syria would be shaped during the reconstruction process post-regime collapse, and it was crucial for the Kurds to be recognized as a key component in the creation of a new Syrian constitution. He urged PYD to make a clear statement regarding their commitment to the rights of Syrian Kurds, without PKK ties, to gain the support of both the Kurdistan Region and the international community.
Syrian National Army Prepares for Offensive on Rakka
Amid these developments, there are reports that the Syrian National Army (SNA) is preparing for an offensive in Rakka. This strategic buildup indicates that military forces are gearing up for a possible confrontation with both ISIS and the PKK, as the situation in northern Syria continues to evolve.
