![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
. | ![]() |
. |
![]() by Staff Writers Beirut (AFP) July 10, 2016
The Islamic State group lost 12 percent of the territory it holds in Iraq and Syria in the first half of 2016, according to an analysis by research group IHS. The analysis published Sunday says the jihadist group, which proclaimed its self-styled "caliphate" in the two countries in 2014, is continuing to lose ground after a string of setbacks last year. "In 2015, the Islamic State's caliphate shrunk by 12,800 square kilometres to 78,000 square kilometres, a net loss of 14 percent," IHS said. "In the first six months of 2016, that territory shrunk again by 12 percent. As of July 4, 2016, the Islamic State controls roughly 68,300 square kilometres in Iraq and Syria." In Syria, IS is under pressure from regime troops backed by Russian forces, an Arab-Kurdish alliance backed by a US-led coalition, and rebel forces. In Iraq, coalition-backed security forces, working with pro-government militia groups, have dealt the jihadists a series of defeats. IS forces are currently under siege in the Syrian town of Manbij, which lies on their main supply route between Syria and Turkey. In March the jihadists were routed from the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra and in June from the Iraqi city of Fallujah. In 2015, the group lost Tal Abyad, a key border post on the Syrian-Turkish border, as well as the Iraqi city of Ramadi. In May the Pentagon said that IS had lost some 45 percent of the territory it held in Iraq and between 16 and 20 percent of its territory in Syria. The IHS report did not include percentages by country. IHS senior analyst Columb Strack said the losses were likely to mean IS would redouble its attempts at "mass casualty attacks". "As the Islamic State's caliphate shrinks and it becomes increasingly clear that its governance project is failing, the group is reprioritising insurgency," he said. "We unfortunately expect an increase in mass casualty attacks and sabotage of economic infrastructure, across Iraq and Syria, and further afield, including Europe." IS has also seen its revenues drop, from around $80 million a month in mid-2015 to $56 million a month by March 2016, according to IHS. "This figure has probably continued to decrease since March by at least another 35 percent," said Ludovico Carlino, another senior analyst at IHS. "Combined with the military setbacks on the ground, this is having an impact on the internal cohesion of the group as indicated by a marked increase in defections and desertions since January," he added. Facing territorial losses and pressure, IS on Wednesday issued a video describing the "organisation of the caliphate" in which it claimed control of 35 "wilayat" or provinces, including 19 in Syria and Iraq.
Related Links The Long War - Doctrine and Application
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |