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In Syria's Hinterlands, the U.S. Wages a Hidden Campaign Against a Resurgent Islamic State
(Wall Street Journal) Michael M. Phillips - At a U.S. Special Forces base in northeastern Syria, American commandos are scrambling to contain a resurgence of Islamic State. Islamic State is mustering forces in Syria's Badiya desert, training young recruits to become suicide bombers, directing attacks on allied troops and preparing to resurrect its dream of ruling an Islamist caliphate, according to officers from the U.S. and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Militant fighters have doubled their pace of attacks in Syria and Iraq this year. They have targeted security checkpoints, detonated car bombs and plotted to free thousands of jailed comrades. During the first six months of the year, Islamic State claimed responsibility for 153 attacks in Syria and Iraq. "This year has been the worst year since we defeated Islamic State," said Gen. Rohilat Afrin, co-commander of the SDF.