Wall Street Journal: ISIS Resurging in Syria
In a recent report, the American newspaper Wall Street Journal claimed that the terrorist group ISIS has significantly intensified its attacks in northeastern Syria during 2025. Citing data from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the report noted that from January through the end of August, ISIS carried out 117 attacks—compared to just 73 throughout 2024.
The report also pointed to the withdrawal of U.S. troops and the transfer of parts of Deir ez-Zor province to SDF control as contributing factors to the rise in ISIS activity. In an interview with one SDF commander, the paper emphasized that the U.S. exit from Syria has emboldened ISIS fighters, giving them greater freedom of movement and operational confidence.
More than reflecting an on-the-ground reality, the Wall Street Journal report appears to align with a broader media narrative aimed at legitimizing continued U.S. military presence in Syria. By repeatedly highlighting the spike in ISIS attacks following the American drawdown, the report conveys a message that any U.S. retreat from Syria equates to the return of terrorism!
By emphasizing the inefficiency of the SDF in countering ISIS, the report subtly reinforces the notion that stability in northeastern Syria is only achievable through U.S. support and presence.
Overall, reports like this—alongside field data and statistics—form part of the broader narrative warfare unfolding in Syria. Western media outlets aim to portray the withdrawal of their forces not as a political decision, but as a security threat. This framing seeks to convince domestic audiences and regional allies that a prolonged U.S. military presence in Syria remains both necessary and justified.
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