ISIS retreats deep into the Syrian desert to ‘regroup and prepare their next incarnation’

ISIS retreats deep into the Syrian desert to ‘regroup and prepare their next incarnation’

by WorldTribune Staff, October 30, 2017 With its self-proclaimed caliphate obliterated, Islamic State (ISIS) has fled for the caves and rugged mountains deep in the vast Syrian desert. Analysts say the terror organization has retreated to the desert, known as Badiyat al-Sham, to “regroup and prepare their next incarnation.” The terror group’s leaders, analysts say, […]

U.S.-backed forces advance in eastern Syria

U.S.-backed forces advance in eastern Syria

by WorldTribune Staff, September 10, 2017 U.S.-backed fighters made major gains in an eastern Syria province, clearing Islamic State (ISIS) jihadists from areas east of the Euphrates River, a monitoring group reported. Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Deir Ezzor Military Council (DEMC) on Sept. 10 seized much of Deir Ezzor province’s northeast, according […]

Trump approves arms to Syrian Kurds despite Turkey’s objection

Trump approves arms to Syrian Kurds despite Turkey’s objection

by WorldTribune Staff, May 10, 2017 U.S. President Donald Trump has given the Pentagon the go-ahead to arm Syrian Kurdish fighters in the fight to drive Islamic State (ISIS) from its stronghold at Raqqa. The green light was given just one week before Turkey’s president will visit the White House. Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said […]

Surging Kurds see advance in Syria a win for all sides; Turkey is the exception

Surging Kurds see advance in Syria a win for all sides; Turkey is the exception

by WorldTribune Staff, May 8, 2017 Syria’s Kurds, the fighting force that was key in turning the tide against Islamic State (ISIS), are looking to redraw northern Syria to link their autonomous Rojava region with the Mediterranean Sea. Kurds make up the majority of the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) that is closing in on ISIS’s […]

Pentagon pleads for halt to fighting between Turkey, U.S.-backed Kurdish forces

Pentagon pleads for halt to fighting between Turkey, U.S.-backed Kurdish forces

by WorldTribune Staff, August 30, 2016 The Pentagon on Aug. 29 called on “all actors” in clashes in Syria between Turkey and forces fighting for the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led alliance to “stand down immediately.” Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook condemned the fighting south of the Syrian town of Jarabulus, saying “we want to make clear that we […]

Turkish airstrikes take aim at both U.S.-backed Kurdish forces and ISIL in Syria

Turkish airstrikes take aim at both U.S.-backed Kurdish forces and ISIL in Syria

by WorldTribune Staff, August 28, 2016 Turkey confirmed its F-16s launched airstrikes on both Kurdish and Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) targets in Syria on Aug. 27. Turkish security sources said the strikes targeted U.S.-backed Kurdish YPG militia, which makes up the majority of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The Jarablus Military Council, […]

Jihadists and rebels turn tables in Aleppo, reversing Syrian regime gains

Jihadists and rebels turn tables in Aleppo, reversing Syrian regime gains

by WorldTribune Staff, August 7, 2016 An alliance of anti-Assad rebels and jihadist groups dealt a major setback to the Russian-backed Syrian regime on Aug. 5 by breaking a three-week siege on Aleppo. Despite more than 600 Russian airstrikes, the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad “were not able to hold on to their positions,” […]

U.S.-backed Kurdish-Arab forces enter ISIL stronghold

U.S.-backed Kurdish-Arab forces enter ISIL stronghold

by WorldTribune Staff, June 23, 2016 An alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters, backed by U.S. airstrikes, advanced on an Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) stronghold in northern Syria on June 23. “Fierce street fighting” was reported as Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) entered Manbij, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. “The SDF […]

U.S.-backed Kurds, Russia-backed Syrians advance on Raqqa in pincer movement

U.S.-backed Kurds, Russia-backed Syrians advance on Raqqa in pincer movement

by WorldTribune Staff, June 5, 2016 A U.S.-backed Kurdish-Arab alliance from the north and Russian-backed Syrian troops from the southwest are set to catch Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) in a pincer movement as they advance on the terror group’s stronghold at Raqqa. U.S. military officials said the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance […]

Syrian forces open new front against ISIL with Russian air support

Syrian forces open new front against ISIL with Russian air support

by WorldTribune Staff, June 3, 2016 Syrian forces, backed by Russian airstrikes, have launched their largest offensive against Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) since retaking the historic city of Palmyra in March. The new front was opened on June 3 in ISIL-held territory in eastern Hama province, near the boundary with Raqqa province. […]