A guard looking at Islamic State fighters at al-Sina’a prison in Hasakah, Syria, on Jan 18, 2025. — Reuters
MIDDLE Eastern leaders and their Western allies have long warned that Islamic State (IS) could exploit the fall of the Assad regime to stage a comeback in Syria and neighbouring Iraq, where the extremist group once ruled over millions with terror.
Now, according to more than 20 sources – including Syrian, Iraqi, US and European security officials, diplomats and political figures – IS is attempting just that.
