Syria Situation Report

ISIS launched new offensives in northern Syria following its seizure of the strategic city of Palmyra and other key locations in central Syria over recent weeks.

ISIS seized the historic city of Palmyra in central Syria on May 20 and continued to  advance westward towards the strategic regime T4 Airbase along the highway to Homs city as well as southwest into the Eastern Qalamoun region along the road to Damascus.

The ISIS seizure of Palmyra city is a major defeat for the Assad regime that is likely to jeopardize the regime’s ability to maintain a foothold in Deir ez-Zour.

ISIS targets the regime in Hasaka to offset losses to the YPG while also trying to expand in the Central Corridor and out to the west.  JN declares itself in direct confrontation with ISIS while JN and rebels resist regime offensives in Idlib.

Violence escalates in Syrian-Lebanese border region.  Has Hezbollah decided to just contain JN or is there a “Battle of Qalamoun” coming?  Also, regional actors appear willing to increase support to rebel groups with rumors of anti-aircraft capabilities coming.

Anti-Assad forces expand territorial control in Idlib

Regime Fears Coup from within Alawite Community; Deploys Reinforcements to Support PKK-linked Syrian Kurds in Hasaka