Islamic State emerges from rubble of north-east Syria to exploit discontent with al-Sharaa

Islamic State emerges from rubble of north-east Syria to exploit discontent with al-Sharaa ‘Rebranded’ terror group seeks to recruit those alienated by Damascus government’s western pivot O n the surface, all that remains of Islamic State in the Syrian town of Baghuz are discarded tubs of whitening cream, spent RPG motors and children’s backpacks, with an old grenade nestled in the frayed pink nylon. It was here nearly seven years ago that IS made its last stand . Its most zealous followers were obliterated along with the blood-soaked caliphate they fought to defend. Their bodies were collected and buried next to the town graveyard, while bulldozers came and sealed the entire area under a layer of heavy yellow earth. Today, nothing grows on the former battlefield. The ground remains barren despite the heavy winter rains that have sent green shoots sprouting in the furrowed fields just metres away. Yet while the graveyard lies undisturbed, residents say the town is deeply uneasy once more. IS is stirring again, its members living among the people of Syria . “They are our neighbours. It’s known who in the village is with IS. They feel nostalgic for the days of the caliphate, and for sure they would readily join IS if it came back,” said an activist in Baghuz, asking to remain anonymous out of fears for his security. The sense of unease is shared across Deir ez-Zor, a long neglected rural province of Syria that was a stronghold of IS during the height of its control of Syria. “You can see them in the streets. It’s clear who is sympathetic to them from their dress and habits,” said Deeban Harwil, a civil society activist in Deir ez-Zor. This week, the group lurched back into the open. Its spokesperson Abu Hudhayfah al-Ansari released a speech more than 30 minutes long – the first time in two years that IS has put out such a public display to its followers. In the speech, the spokesperson took aim at the new Syrian government, decrying President Ahmed al-Sharaa as an apo...