logo
Aid cuts could destabilize Daesh-linked camps in northeastern Syria: diplomats

Aid cuts could destabilize Daesh-linked camps in northeastern Syria: diplomats

Arab News15-02-2025

DAMASCUS: Moves by the US administration to cut foreign aid funding risk destabilizing two camps in northeastern Syria holding tens of thousands of people accused of affiliation with the Daesh, aid officials, local authorities and diplomats say.
The seven sources said Washington's funding freezes and staff changes had already disrupted some aid distribution and services in Al-Hol and Roj, which host people who fled cities where Daesh was making its last stand between 2017-2019.
They are 'closed camps,' meaning residents were not detained or charged as Daesh extremists but cannot independently leave the camps because of suspicions that they are affiliated with or support the group.
Aid workers and camp officials — led by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led force that helps run a semi-autonomous zone in northeastern Syria — have long called for the repatriation of camp residents, among them thousands of foreigners including Westerners.
But the rapid changes to US funding streams have prompted contingency plans for the spread of disease, riots, or Daesh attempts to retrieve residents they see as unlawfully detained, two senior humanitarian sources and a Roj resident said, requesting anonymity.
The humanitarian workers were not authorized to speak to the media, and the Roj camp resident had an unauthorized phone used to talk to Reuters.
'If there's no unfreezing then everything except the camp guards stop. We're expecting mass rioting and breakout attempts.
Kurdish authorities in the northeast said last month they expected breakout attempts at detention centers holding Daesh fighters and have refused to hand control of them to the new transitional government in Damascus.
The anticipated violence adds to the complex security challenges in Syria, where Islamist rebels installed the transitional government after toppling Bashar Assad and are holding talks with authorities in the northeast to bring all security forces under Damascus's control.
Sheikhmous Ahmed, head of camps and displaced persons in the autonomous administration of northeast Syria, said US-funded organizations had been crucial in 'covering the existing gaps' in basic service provision in the camps.
But if funding halts altogether, Daesh affiliates 'can benefit from these existing gaps and lack of support,' he said.
At least one of the organizations operating in the two camps, aid contractor Blumont, has received waivers allowing it to keep operating, said a Blumont official and Al-Hol director Jihan Hanan. The waiver would last the 90 days.
The organization has had to shutter other USAID-funded humanitarian and management services at about 100 unofficial 'collective centers' for other displaced people, the Blumont official said.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US CENTCOM chief calls Pakistan ‘phenomenal partner' in ongoing fight against militancy
US CENTCOM chief calls Pakistan ‘phenomenal partner' in ongoing fight against militancy

Arab News

time4 hours ago

  • Arab News

US CENTCOM chief calls Pakistan ‘phenomenal partner' in ongoing fight against militancy

KARACHI: The head of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael Kurilla, this week praised Pakistan as a 'phenomenal partner' in counterterrorism efforts, citing continued operations against militant groups and active intelligence-sharing between the two countries. Pakistan and the United States have a long, if at times turbulent, history of counterterrorism cooperation dating back to the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks. Islamabad was a key partner during the US-led war in Afghanistan, and over the years has captured and handed over numerous Al-Qaeda operatives to US authorities. In a more recent high-profile case, Pakistani officials last year arrested and extradited a Daesh militant accused of planning the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul, which killed 13 American service members and more than 160 Afghan civilians during the US military withdrawal. 'They're in an active counter-terrorism fight right now and they have been a phenomenal partner in the counter-terrorism world,' Kurilla said during a testimony before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington on Tuesday. Kurilla pointed to recent Pakistani operations targeting Daesh (ISIS-Khorasan), particularly in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. 'Through a phenomenal partnership with Pakistan, they have gone after Daesh Khorasan (Daesh) killing dozens of them through a relationship we have with them providing intelligence. They have captured at least five Daesh Khorasan (Daesh) high value individuals,' he said. 'So, we are seeing Pakistan with limited intelligence that provided them go after them using their means to do that and we're seeing an effect on Daesh (Daesh).' Kurtis added that both Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban were conducting parallel operations against Daesh along the border. Kurilla also noted the close personal coordination between military leaders, recalling that Pakistan's army chief had informed him directly of a major capture. 'Field Marshal Asim Munir called me to tell me they had captured one of the Daesh-K individuals,' he said. While Pak-Us relations have often been strained by mutual mistrust — particularly over drone strikes, militant sanctuaries, and geopolitical alignment — security cooperation between the two militaries has persisted, especially in the intelligence domain. Pakistan and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to counterterrorism cooperation during a bilateral dialogue held in Washington in May. The talks focused on threats from groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Daesh, both of which remain active in the region. Another round of counterterrorism talks is scheduled to take place later this month between Islamabad and Washington as part of broader efforts to rebuild ties and coordinate on shared security priorities. US officials have increasingly acknowledged Pakistan's role in containing regional terrorist threats, even as Islamabad faces internal challenges from a resurgent TTP and growing political and economic instability.

US-China Trade Deal 'Done': Trump
US-China Trade Deal 'Done': Trump

Leaders

time4 hours ago

  • Leaders

US-China Trade Deal 'Done': Trump

The US and China have agreed on a trade deal after two days of talks in London between American and Chinese officials. On Wednesday, the US President, Donald Trump, announced that a deal with China had been finalized. 'Our deal with China is done,' he posted on his Truth Social platform. US-China Trade Deal Trump added that the deal, which is subject to approval from China's President Xi Jinping and himself, will grant the US access to the rare earth metals it needs, while the Chinese college students will be able to attend American universities. 'Full magnets, and any necessary rare earths, will be supplied, up front, by China. Likewise, we will provide to China what was agreed to, including Chinese students using our colleges and universities,' he said. 'We are getting a total of 55% tariffs, China is getting 10%. Relationship is excellent!' Trump noted. Framework Agreement The announcement followed two days of negotiations between American and Chinese officials in London to resolve trade disputes and ease export restrictions, reported Reuters. Both sides agreed on Tuesday on a 'framework deal' that adds crucial details to implement the consensus reached last month in Geneva to ease reciprocal retaliatory tariffs, according to the US Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick. 'We have reached a framework to implement the Geneva consensus and the call between the two presidents,' Lutnik said, referring to a phone call last week between Trump and Xi, which the US President said was a 'very good talk.' Lutnik told reporters that the framework would remove restrictions on Chinese exports of rare earth minerals and magnets and some of the recent US export restrictions 'in a balanced way,' without providing details. Similarly, the Chinese Vice Commerce Minister, Li Chenggang, said in a separate briefing that the US and China had reached a trade framework 'in principle' pending the approval of both presidents. Geneva Talks Last month, the US and China agreed to suspend most of their reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, following two days of talks in Geneva, Switzerland. Both sides announced in a joint statement that they agreed on a 110% tariff reduction for 90 days. Thus, the US would reduce tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while China would lower duties on US goods from 125% to 10%, taking effect on May 14, 2025. Short link : Post Views: 126

Trump says China to send rare earths, pay 55% tariffs
Trump says China to send rare earths, pay 55% tariffs

Argaam

time7 hours ago

  • Argaam

Trump says China to send rare earths, pay 55% tariffs

US president Donald Trump said today, June 11, a trade deal with China was reached after two days of talks in London, pending his and Chinese President Xi Jinping's approval. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said China will supply the US with magnets and other rare earth metals. In exchange, the US will provide agreed goods and services, including arrangements for Chinese students in American universities. 'We'll get 55% in tariffs, China gets 10%. Our relationship is excellent,' he added. The statement comes after officials from both sides held talks in London to outline steps for implementing the consensus reached last month in Switzerland.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store