Why do those who claim to oppose ISIS detain those who fight against it?

‘No government fights fascism to destroy it. When the bourgeoisie sees that power is slipping out of its hands, it brings up fascism to hold onto their privileges.’ - Buenaventura Durruti

Two Revolutionary Combatants of the Internationalist Brigade for Freedom, who fought with the YPG/YPJ in their struggle against ISIS, have been detained upon their return to Spain. This is something that should be shocking and offensive to all the people of the world. There is no doubt that ISIS is one of the most evil organisations to presently exist upon our Earth. They have perpetuated mass terror, murder and displacement in Syria and Iraq and have committed attacks across the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and North America. This has caused a global reaction, with many states across the world intervening against ISIS. These actions range from airstrikes, military training and weapon supply to humanitarian aid. This includes Spain, who have sent their armed forces to train Anti-ISIS militants in Iraq, so why have these comrades been detained?

The simple answer is that of control. Sure the International Bourgeoisie disapproves of ISIS, but what matters more is that they retain their domination, and the very concept of an International Brigade for Freedom threatens that. The International Brigade represents how the peoples of the entire world can recognise each other’s common humanity and struggle, and take proactive solidarity to fight together for liberation from terror. The state justifies it continued expansion of the police state, of mass surveillance with the excuse that it is ‘protecting us from terror’. The International Brigade demonstrates that this is a lie.

We do not need the state to defend us from terror, we only need each other. We do not need the terror of the state to defend us from the terror of ISIS, we need International Solidarity, and a willingness to act for others, not matter where they are. This is why the returning combatants have been charged with ‘seriously undermining Spanish national interests’. They have not undermined the interests of the Spanish people, but that of the Spanish state. For how can the Spanish state go on, go on with their destruction with the right to protest, go on with the terror against Anarchist comrades, if even their claim to provide security is unmasked as a lie?

This detention is meant to scare us, to terrify us into submission. For it says that if you are willing to take the ultimate risk, to take up arms to combat terror then you will receive the hero welcome you deserve when you return, instead you will be punished, imprisoned, terrorised by the state. If you refuse fear, if you refuse passivity then we need to act in Immediate Solidarity with these comrades, before other States take this as signal that they can imprison International Fighters with no consequences.

For the Immediate Freedom of the Imprisoned Revolutionary Fighters of Communist Reconstruction!

For a Global People’s Front against ISIS and all Terror!

A People in Arms can never be unfree!