THE EARLY PHOENIX
★ SYRIA 09-09-2024
ISIS Prison Break in Hasaka, Escapes, and Global Attacks Prevented
The Syrian Democratic Forces foiled an ISIS prison break at Ghweiran detention center in Hasaka on September 8, killing one militant. Following the uprising, the prisoners were immediately relocated to more secure facilities to prevent further security breaches or attempts. The US-led coalition moved about 90 ISIS detainees from Raqqa to Hasaka following an escape attempt by five prisoners. Despite recapturing two escapees, others found assistance from local smugglers to evade capture and reach the desert. This transfer followed CENTCOM’s arrest of ISIS leader Khaled Ahmed Al-Dandal for aiding fighters’ escape from Rojava prisons. Five ISIS women from Morocco and Russia escaped from the camp despite tight security. Canadian authorities arrested 20-year-old Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, who was radicalized by ISIS, for plotting attacks on Jews in New York. In August 2024, Austrian authorities prevented an ISIS-inspired attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, arresting two suspects planning mass casualties.
ISIS Funding by Assad Regime Results in $364 Million Judgment
The Assad regime has been proven in court to have funded ISIS for years, directly leading to the deaths of two American soldiers in Iraq. Spc. Byron Fouty and Staff Sgt. Alex Jimenez were captured and executed by Damascus-backed terrorists in 2007. A U.S. court awarded $364 million in damages to the soldiers’ families, citing Syria’s material support to the Islamic State of Iraq. This ruling confirms Assad’s involvement in supporting terrorist groups responsible for attacks against U.S. service members. The decision, under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, may allow the U.S. to seize Syrian assets to compensate the families.
Hezbollah Controls 124 Smuggling Routes Between Lebanon And Syria
Lebanese media reports that Hezbollah manages 124 illegal smuggling crossings between Lebanon and Syria. The group oversees operations in Homs, granting privileges to local smugglers in exchange for payments and participation in Hezbollah’s security units. Ongoing clashes over smuggling profits highlight the instability in the region as Hezbollah secures financial inflows.
HTS Signals Support For Turkiye-Assad Reconciliation Through Prisoner Release
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) handed over two Syrian intelligence officers and Hezbollah members to Turkish intelligence on Saturday, a strategic move that reveals more than just an exchange. The handover, ordered by Turkiye, signals HTS’s acceptance of Ankara’s push to normalize relations with the Assad regime. As Turkiye continues its negotiations with Damascus to restore ties, this gesture demonstrates both HTS’s compliance with Turkish directives and its indirect support for the reconciliation. The move also marks a calculated signal to Assad that HTS, previously at odds with the regime, is now aligning with Turkiye’s shifting diplomatic strategy in the region.
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