The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has released a document identifying 415 ISIS fighters integrated into the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, raising concerns for regional security and international counter-terrorism efforts.
As Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) attacks on the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) persist, the AANES has released a document with names and photographs of 415 ISIS fighters operating within the ranks of the SNA.
The document was retrieved from a memory card found on the body of an SNA fighter identified as an ISIS member, who was killed during the attempted infiltration of the city of Manbij (Minbîc) on 8 December. According to the AANES, the same memory card contained another document outlining instructions for ISIS fighters within the SNA to advance on Kobani (Kobanê) after capturing Manbij and the strategic Qara Quzak (Qere Qozaq) Bridge over the Euphrates.
The AANES has also published a list of names and photographs of ISIS fighters enlisted in the ranks of the SNA, and called for action by the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Formed in 2014 to ensure the lasting defeat of ISIS, the Coalition recently reaffirmed its commitment to stabilisation efforts in Iraq and Syria.
The release of these documents follows a recent broadcast in which SNA fighters were shown on live Turkish television wearing ISIS arm patches during a news programme covering SNA operations near Manbij.
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The Syrian National Army was formed in 2017 after its predecessor, the Free Syrian Army, made up of defectors from Assad’s regime and rebel factions, was weakened by infighting between rival jihadist groups. The SNA, including many fighters from the FSA, was formed and is funded and trained by Turkey, but is still not a cohesive fighting force. Henri Barkey, Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University, PA, defines the SNA as “a wholly Turkish-owned entity”.
Meanwhile, clashes between SNA mercenaries and local defenders continue in North and East Syria. Intense fighting near the Tishreen Dam and Qara Quzak Bridge, southeast of Manbij, has resulted in the deaths of at least 210 SNA fighters, while eight members of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) and Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) have also been killed. With efforts to broker a ceasefire between Turkey and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reportedly collapsing, renewed battles between the SDF and SNA appear imminent.