(New York Times) Ben Hubbard and Eric Schmitt - The loss of its two largest cities will not spell a final defeat for the Islamic State. The group has already shifted back to its roots as an insurgent force, but one that now has an international reach and an ideology that continues to motivate attackers around the world. Even while its physical hold slips, its surviving cadres - middle managers, weapons technicians, propagandists and other operatives - will invest their experience in the group's future operations. Islamic State is in no way homeless yet. In Iraq, the group still controls Tal Afar, Hawija, other towns, and much of Anbar Province. In Syria, towns are still under ISIS control in the Euphrates River valley. Many top operatives have relocated to Mayadeen, 110 miles southeast of Raqqa. Senior American intelligence and counterterrorism officials say that more than 60,000 Islamic State fighters have been killed since June 2014, including much of the group's leadership. But those officials say Islamic State has retained much of its ability to inspire, enable, and direct terrorist attacks.
2017-07-11 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive