Friday, December 14, 2018

U.S.-Backed Fighters In Syria Have Captured The Last Town Held By The Islamic State

A map showing the south east of Syria, where ISIS have been pushed into a narrow corridor east of the Euphrates where one of their last strongholds, Hajin, was taken by US-backed militia on Friday; a pocket of desert territory to the west still remains under jihadist control

The Guardian: Isis withdraws from last urban stronghold in Syria

Syrian Democratic Forces capture Hajin in Deir ez-Zor province after heavy fighting

Islamic State extremists have withdrawn from their last urban stronghold in Syria after weeks of intensifying clashes with Kurdish-led fighters that have splintered the remnants of the group’s leadership and raised fresh questions about the fate of its founder, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Isis forces retreated to villages to the east of Hajin in the early hours of Thursday after several days of US airstrikes, which allowed Kurdish proxy forces to sweep into the town on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River. Clashes continued throughout the day, and western observers cautioned that the militants may be attempting to regroup for a counter-assault.

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More News On U.S.-Backed Fighters In Syria Capturing The Last Town Held By The Islamic State

U.S.-backed fighters in Syria capture last town held by ISIS -- NBC/AP
US-backed fighters capture largest remaining town held by ISIS in Syria after fierce fighting -- AFP
Hajin, one of the last towns held by IS militants falls in Syria -- DW
Islamic State driven from last town as US-backed forces leave caliphate on brink -- The Telegraph
Syria: SDF fighters capture ISIL pocket in Deir Az Zor -- Al Jazeera

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Once again the Kurds have proven they fight and are excellent allies to the USA.

Turkey on the other hand aided ISIS for years before Trump came in and started exterminating ISIS on the ground. As long as Obama was pretend war making, Erdogan had a clear field of play to cozy up to ISIS for oil and gas deals. Trump ended all of that. Now what will Turkey do?

B.Poster said...

I don't recall anyone saying they were the most powerful force ever. As I pointed our, when they arose, they were able to capture and hold territory faster and more efficiently than the US military could have before it had been worn down. Judging by the speed of the conquests I would seem that an accurate analysis.

Their primary problem was, while they make amazing soldiers they overreacted with their brutality and were never able to adjust to behaving like a normal nation state. Had they done so they'd still have their territory and likely more.

As the editor pointed out, if all their fighters are added together, this would comprise one of the largest armies in the world. Having lost their urban stronghold they will likely melt into the local population carrying terrorist attacks. This remains a very formidable force. Very respectfully laughter may be premature. I would certainly hold off on laughing.

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