ISIS threat remains: seven ISIS-linked arrests in Germany

German police have arrested seven people in an investigation related to the financing of the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization. Raids were carried out across Germany with more than 90 sites reportedly being searched by a thousand police officers. German police also raided an address in the Netherlands.
According to the German prosecutors, the seven suspects, of German, Kosovar, Turkish and Moroccan nationality were ‘part of an international network that supported the terrorist activities of the Islamic State in Syria through financial donations. The money, which they collected via the messaging platform Telegram since 2020, was allegedly used to help prisoners escape from the Syrian refugee camps Al Hol and Al Roj. At least 65.000 euros were transferred to the terrorist organization. The seven suspects will be brought before a judge today and tomorrow.
Resurgence efforts of ISIS
The significant increase in ISIS attacks, which pose a threat to the stability of the region and to international security, is also affecting Europe. On 26 May, Kevin Guiavarch, a French pioneer of jihadism who joined ISIS, was sentenced in France to 14 years in prison. His wife, Salma O., who was sentenced to six years in prison, is serving her sentence at home, wearing an electronic bracelet.
Meanwhile, the presence of ISIS in the region has also become more tangible. It has carried out several operations in Syria and Iraq. Recent attacks in Iraq have killed tens and injured dozens of members of the Iraqi army. Recent attacks in Iraq have killed and injured dozens of members of the Iraqi army, ISIS said in its online newspaper al-Naba. In eastern Syria, ISIS militants have posted leaflets on walls ordering women to wear Islamic clothing or face punishment. As a result, people living in the area are afraid to go out on the streets.
Threats from the Turkish state
While the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are conducting a determined operation against ISIS, they continue to be threatened by the Turkish state, which is constantly pursuing a hostile war strategy against northern and eastern Syria. Since mid-2012, Turkish President Erdogan has been threatening a new military offensive. He reiterates the official goal of maintaining the 30km ‘security zone’ south of the Turkish border. According to the SDF database, the Turkish military and its proxies have intensified air strikes in the region. The SDF have consistently called on the international community to end the Turkish invasions, stating that they are also hindering them in their fight against ISIS.
In an interview with ANHA agency, Fadila Mohammad, co-chair of the Girê Spî canton council, also warned the international community about the consequences of the Turkish occupation state’s policy in the occupied Syrian territories on the security and stability of the region and the world.
Collaboration to defeat ISIS
In an article by Gregory Waters, a research analyst, published on the website of the Middle East Institute (MEI) in April 2023, he described the resurgence of ISIS as follows: “ISIS has a plan for an eventual resurgence. The group has been laying the groundwork to rebuild, refinance, and recruit the next generation of fighters across northeast and central Syria since 2019. It controls territory in central Syria and retains the capacity to not only challenge, but seize key strategic points from the Syrian regime. There is still time to develop and implement a comprehensive policy to address the prisoner dilemma in northeast Syria while also focusing on resources on improving the SDF’s approach in Deir ez-Zor and better securing the SDF-regime frontline in order to limit the slow of ISIS members between the two regions.” On May 26, the US and the EU also published a joint statement on their concerns about ISIS in Syria, stating that they share the priority to fight against terrorism globally.