The U.S. Department of Defense has issued a stark warning about the escalating influence of armed extremist groups in Syria, highlighting their growing presence in areas outside government control as a major risk to regional security.

In a newly released report, the Pentagon emphasized that extremist factions are exploiting Syria’s fractured security landscape, particularly in regions where state authority is weak or nonexistent. These groups have been accused of carrying out attacks, imposing their own laws, and disrupting critical humanitarian operations.

The report notes that the security vacuum left after the territorial defeat of the Islamic State (IS) has allowed extremist networks to regroup and expand. While U.S.-backed forces like the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and international coalitions have made significant progress against IS, the absence of a unified national security framework has enabled other radical actors to fill the void.

U.S. defense officials raised alarms over the potential spillover effect, warning that these groups could destabilize neighboring countries and derail long-term peace efforts in Syria. Recent clashes in Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and southern Syria—where government troops, local militias, and extremist cells continue to battle—underscore the persistent volatility.

The Pentagon urged the Syrian government to take stronger measures to integrate all armed factions into formal state security structures. It also called on international partners to bolster stabilization and governance initiatives in the war-torn nation.