Jihadis, Iran-Backed Militia, Anti-U.S. Social Media Users Question Intention Behind CENTCOM Commanders' Visit To ISIS Family Detention Camps In Syria

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On August 21, 2023 Army General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), made a previously-unannounced trip to Syria, during which he visited Al-Roj and Al-Hol detention camps, which hold thousands of family members of Islamic State (ISIS) fighters.[1]

The visit appears to have generated limited engagement on jihadi-centric platforms. However, the news did appear to spark wider pushback from users on mainstream platforms, where a variety of views were expressed, including some accusing the U.S. of creating the terror group, and others glorifying it.

Telegram

As of this writing, General Kurilla's visit appeared to generate little to no traction on jihadi Telegram channels. One of the few mentions on the platform came from the pro-Syrian rebel channel "Syrian Researcher," which offered a straightforward account of the visit while focusing on Kurilla's statements regarding recent U.S. Treasury actions to sanctioning two Syria-based groups.[2]

It said: "Kurilla said: The danger of the Hamza and Suleiman Shah divisions is no less than the danger of ISIS. We will put an end to these violations soon with our partners, [the Syrian Democratic Forces or SDF]."

The post appeared to generate positive reaction, based on observable user engagement. The same post was also shared on Telegram by Abu Yehya Al-Sham, a Syrian jihadi preacher who opposes Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) in Idlib.[3]

Kurilla's comments refer to recent steps taken by the U.S. Treasury Department, imposing sanctions on the Suleiman Shah Brigade and Hamza Division and their leaders over accusation of serious human rights abuses.[4]

Another Telegram post, by Idlib-based independent journalist Humam Issa also reported on the visit in a neutral fashion. However, this post generated a more negative reaction. Both posts had a view count within 150.[5]

X (Twitter)

The visit appeared to generate substantially more engagement on the X platform, formerly Twitter, with a mix of responses from pro-ISIS accounts, anti-U.S. users, and supporters of Iran-backed militias.

Under a post from the pro-Syrian government news account "Idlib Online" which described Kurilla's entry into the country as "illegal," one user suggested that the general came to the camps to recruit ISIS fighters to join an American-led military operation.[6] The user said: "He wants to convince ISIS members to be under the leadership of the SDF in the next battle that the American is preparing for."

A post from a pro-Russian account "The Russian [News] Summary" described the visit in a neutral way. However, comments below the post included anti-West and anti-U.S. cartoons and an ISIS nasheed, or chant, celebrating new fighters who joined the jihadi group.[7]

The cartoons appear to show Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky sitting atop a pile of skulls, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen waving a Nazi flag, Uncle Sam stabbing Europeans in the back, and an American flag covering up skulls.

Another user implied that the U.S. is playing a game that has destroyed Syria, without elaborating.

Beneath a post with a neutral tone discussing the visit, one user expressed solidarity with camp detainees, who are all suspected of close personal links to ISIS fighters, showing anti-U.S. sentiment:[8]

"Oh Allah, release their families, their torment has been long in the American prisons. Curse them!" wrote "Ibn Al-Theeb Al-Wa'ili."

Iran-Backed Al-Nujaba' Movement

A post in Farsi from the X account affiliated with the Iran-backed armed group Al-Nujaba Movement mentioned the visit, and suggested that it is part of an effort to launch a new U.S. military operation in the area.[9]

It wrote: "This trip coincides with new U.S. movements in the border areas of Syria and Iraq, raising the question of whether Washington is looking for new adventure and tension in the region."

A comment below the post accused the U.S. of sponsoring and arming ISIS: "Dropping weapons and ammunition from the plane to ISIS who were besieging the Iraqi forces who ran out of ammunition. In Abu Kamal, 5 kilometers from the American base, there was an ISIS base. Curse the ISIS terrorists and their supporters: the CENTCOM terrorists and the American regime."