Publications

Syria Situation Report: December 15 - 22, 2016

December 22, 2016 - Chris Kozak

Turkey, Russia, and Iran released a joint statement - termed the ‘Moscow Declaration’ - noting that all three countries agree to “facilitate and become the guarantors” of any political agreement to end the Syrian Civil War following a trilateral meeting in Moscow, Russia on December 20. Meanwhile, pro-regime forces announced their full control over Aleppo City on December 22 following the last evacuations from the remaining opposition-held districts of Eastern Aleppo City.

Russian Airstrikes in Syria: November 21 - December 19, 2016

December 21, 2016 - Chris Kozak
Russia tempered its air operations across Northern Syria following the surrender of the last remaining opposition-held districts of Eastern Aleppo City on December 13, but only after playing a decisive military role in enabling this major battlefield victory for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Iraq Situation Report: December 7-20, 2016

December 20, 2016 - Emily Anagnostos

Local and regional actors are maneuvering to secure their position in 2017 and for a post-ISIS Mosul.

The Virtual Caliphate: ISIS's Information Warfare

December 20, 2016 - Harleen Gambhir

The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) poses an evolving threat to the U.S., its allies, and its broader interests. Its approach to information warfare has represented a key component of its overall strategy, including during the period it has faced sustained pressure. ISIS has suffered significant setbacks on the ground, yet has demonstrated the ability to adapt.

The Campaign for Mosul: December 13-19, 2016

December 19, 2016 - Emily Anagnostos

Operations in eastern Mosul largely paused from December 13 to 19 likely in order to stem the growing casualties taken by the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and to regroup before pushing into central Mosul. Meanwhile, the Popular Mobilization continued its push west, connecting its parallel lines of effort when it recaptured the north-south road between the Tel Afar Airbase and the southern town of Ashwa on December 13.

Syria Situation Report: December 8 - 15, 2016

December 15, 2016 - Chris Kozak

Opposition forces and civilians began to evacuate from Eastern Aleppo City on December 15 following bilateral negotiations between Russia and Turkey. Opposition forces also agreed on medical evacuations from Fu'ah and Kefraya in Idlib Province after Iran threatened to collapse the agreement. Meanwhile, ISIS recaptured the city of Palmyra in Eastern Homs Province on December 11, marking the first seizure of a major urban center by ISIS in Iraq and Syria since May 2015

Iraq Control of Terrain: December 15, 2016

December 15, 2016 - Emily Anagnostos

The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) continued operations to retake Mosul and its environs, consolidating gains along its five axes before breaching the city limits on November 1.

ISW ISIS Sanctuary Maps

December 14, 2016 - ISW Press

Here is a compilation of ISW's ISIS Sanctuary Maps from June 2014 - December 2016. 

ISW on Aleppo and the Broader War in Syria

December 14, 2016 - Institute for the Study of War

The pro-Assad forces’ onslaught in Aleppo marks a key inflection point for the war in Syria. Eastern Aleppo’s imminent fall – to a coalition that includes Russia and Iran and its various proxies – will accelerate the war’s destabilizing effects. Jihadists will further improve their position within the Syrian opposition. Fighters aligned with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will continue committing atrocities against civilians. The Russian and Iranian regimes will grow more emboldened.

ISIS Recaptures Palmyra in Major Blow to Pro-Regime Forces

December 13, 2016 - Chris Kozak

ISIS recaptured the historic city of Palmyra in Eastern Homs Province on December 11 following the withdrawal of pro-regime forces, marking the first seizure of a major urban center by ISIS in Iraq and Syria since ISIS last captured Palmyra in May 2015

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