The Lingering Threat of ISIS in Syria
Despite the complete territorial defeat of ISIS in 2019, remnants of the terrorist group continue to pose a significant threat in Syria. Their influence extends from the outskirts of Damascus to the Iraqi border, particularly in the vast Badia desert.
Recent Attacks and Casualties
- Islamic State terrorists recently “executed” eight Syrian soldiers in an ambush, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
- The war monitor also reported that 14 troops were killed by jihadists in separate incidents.
- IS cells have targeted both pro-government forces and Kurdish-led fighters, resulting in casualties and fatalities.
Continued Violence and Impact
The Islamic State, which once controlled large parts of Iraq and Syria, declared a “caliphate” in 2014, unleashing a reign of terror in the region. Despite losing territorial control, the group’s violent activities persist.
Recent incidents include the execution of regime forces members and a deadly bomb explosion in a northern Syrian city held by pro-Turkish forces, resulting in multiple casualties.
Escalating Attacks and Casualties
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, over 200 soldiers and affiliated fighters have been killed in ambushes by ISIS this year in provinces like Deir Ezzor, Homs, and Raqqa. These attacks have also claimed the lives of civilians.
Despite government forces eliminating some IS members, the observatory warns of ISIS’s continued ability to launch attacks and maintain a dangerous presence in the region.
