Throughout the ongoing Syrian civil war, the Kurdish forces, notably the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), have played a crucial role against the Islamic State. With U.S. support, they established important infrastructure, including prisons for suspected ISIS fighters and camps for displaced individuals. However, escalating assaults by Turkey-backed groups have intensified concerns about the potential for ISIS to exploit emerging gaps in Kurdish defenses.

Kobani noted a troubling scenario where Kurdish forces must reallocate resources from vital prison locations to frontline defense amid rising aggression from militant factions. The U.S. strategy, he argues, seems to inadvertently create a vacuum that could be filled by returning ISIS elements or other destabilizing entities.

As the civil war shifts dynamics following recent regime changes, the need for strategic reassessment by the U.S. and its partners remains urgent. Kobani's warnings serve as a critical reminder of the interconnectedness of security, political stability, and counter-terrorism efforts in the region.