Illustrative image.
On February 11, ISIS’ weekly newspaper, al-Nabaa, released an infographic summarizing the results of the terrorist group’s recent operations in Syria’s northeastern region.
According to al-Nabaa’s infographic, ISIS cells in the northeastern regions carried out a total of 42 operations between January 20 and February 9. The operations took place as follows:
- 23 in Deir Ezzor;
- 13 in al-Hasakah;
- six in Raqqa.
The operations included 37 raids, two ambushes, two assassinations and one attack with an improvised explosive device.
Al-Nabaa claimed that more than 115 people were killed or wounded as a result of ISIS operations. Most of the victims were likely civilians and personnel of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The infographic released by al-Nabaa didn’t include the results of the January 20 ISIS attack on al-Hasakah prison. More than 200 people were killed as a result of the attack.
ISIS influence in northeastern Syria continues to grow right under the eyes of the SDF and its main backer, the US-led coalition. Efforts to end the terrorist group’s presence in the region has so far failed miserably. One of the reasons behind this failure is the lack of any coordination between the SDF and Syrian government forces.
“right under the eyes of the SDF and its main backer”
There is more than one correct way to interpret this phrase.