Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Islamic State Goes 'Underground' In Syria In Expectation Of U.S. Airstrikes

Islamic State Goes Underground In Syrian Stronghold -- Globe and Mail/Reuters

Islamic State has gone underground in its Syrian stronghold since President Barack Obama authorized U.S. air strikes on the group in Syria, disappearing from the streets, redeploying weapons and fighters, and cutting down its media exposure.

In the city of Raqqa, 450 km northeast of Damascus, residents say Islamic State has been moving equipment every day since Obama signaled on Sept. 11 that air attacks on its forces could be expanded from Iraq to Syria.

Islamic State activists who typically answer questions on the Internet have been off line since then. Its leaders have not given a direct response to Obama: his speech last week was not mentioned in a video released on Saturday showing the beheading of British hostage David Haines by an Islamic State militant.

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Update: Obama airstrike threat in Syria prompts Islamic State to go underground -- Washington Times

My Comment: So much for the element of surprise.

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