Islamic State terrorist attack on a Western city is expected

Turkey’s aggression in northern Syria and the West’s unwillingness to repatriate its foreign fighters could lead to a ‘spectacular’ ISIS attack on Western soil, a top Kurdish general has warned.

General Mazloum Kobane, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said that a combination of current events have created ideal conditions for the terrorist group to bounce back.

A ‘spectacular’ terrorist attack in a Western city could be just around the corner, he said.

‘It’s one of the expected things that may happen in the future,’ he added.

Kurdish forces, who have been guarding 5,000 ‘extremely dangerous’ imprisoned jihadists in jails across Syria, say they cannot keep the militants guarded on an ongoing basis.

The changing balance in Syria means that the future is uncertain, Kobane said.

The SDF general, who has held direct phone calls with US President Donald Trump and European leaders, said the release of the fighters would affect a number of countries, not just Syria and Iraq.

Kobane accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Operation Peace Spring, which is seeking to clear the Kurds from 20 miles into Syria, of giving ISIS militants ‘hope’ and ‘clearing space’ for them to operate.

‘I think there are many people who don’t know this but it’s true. The Turkish aggression opened the space and provided hope for ISIS members’, Kobane told Sky News.

During the interview, the general who is wanted by Turkish authorities, made a number of allegations against Erdogan.

He said that Istanbul will use foreign fighters as ‘bargaining chips’ with Europe and that Istanbul is actively helping ISIS to resurrect after its recent defeats.

General Kobane is wanted by Istanbul for membership of the Kurdish People’s Protection Unit (YPG), which is affiliated with a prohibited organisation in Turkey called the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK).

According to Sky News, American forces were providing support in the secret location to ensure Kobane was protected from Turkish forces.

Source: Daily Mail