Spy chiefs are on purple alert over fears terrorists might escape from prisons in Syria and return to the UK, the Each day Specific understands.

Intelligence analysts concern Syrian Democratic Forces might be dragged into extra fights with the Turkish-backed Syrian Nationwide Military and different insurgent teams.

1000’s of former ISIS fighters and different jihadists are imprisoned within the autonomous northeast area of Syria managed by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led group backed by the USA.

That is understood to incorporate dozens of battle-hardened British jihadists.

Turkey sees the SDF as an extension of the Kurdistan Employees Social gathering (PKK), which fought for many years inside Turkey in a bid to determine Kurdistan as an unbiased state.

Dame Angela Eagle informed Instances Radio that intelligence companies are “retaining a really, very shut eye” on the state of affairs on the bottom, and the UK is in contact with allies.

Requested concerning the prospect of jihadists who’re British residents returning to the UK, Dame Angela informed the radio station: “Relaxation assured that the intelligence companies are retaining a really shut eye on what is going on on and we’re in touch with all of our allies to see how this pans out.”

She added: “Clearly any potential return of jihadists is a matter of nice concern, which is why we’ll be retaining a really, very shut eye on how this example develops within the coming days and weeks.”

Coalition forces, together with Britain and America, had “pinned again” the jihadists because the top of the caliphate in Iraq and Syria in 2014 after they managed giant proportions of territory in each nations.

The ISIS terrorists have additionally engaged with the Syrian Authorities and Russian forces.

However analysts are ready to see whether or not the “vacuum” created by the toppling of Bashar al-Assad will make it tougher to struggle terrorism, permitting the extremists to regroup, construct energy, unfold and commit extra atrocities.

And lots of inside Whitehall are involved the Syrian Democratic Forces – a Kurdish-led coalition backed by the US – in North East Syria might be dragged into skirmishes, doubtlessly permitting the jailed jihadis to overrun the remaining SDF guards.

In the meantime the UK suspended all asylum claims from Syria in response to the weekend’s occasions.

Hundreds of thousands of Syrians fled the nation after the outbreak of civil struggle and 1000’s have been granted asylum within the UK, however the Dwelling Workplace mentioned choices on purposes would now be paused whereas the division opinions the state of affairs.

Some 5,548 Syrians utilized for asylum within the UK within the 12 months to September 2024 – the very best quantity for any 12-month interval since data started in 2001.

Dame Angela mentioned that the “fluid” nature of occasions signifies that officers must “wait” earlier than any determination can be made to renew contemplating purposes.

When requested why instances had been suspended, she informed Instances Radio that “one of many most important explanation why folks have been fleeing and claiming asylum was to get away from the Assad regime”.

She added: “As a result of issues are so fluid, we have to wait just a little bit earlier than we attempt to recommence asylum choices in a territory the place issues are altering so quickly.”