Exploring the emergence and continuity of the so-called Islamic State in Syria and the implications of the militant group's activities on the international stage. https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/isis/rss en Government & Pro-Government Forces Human Rights ISIS Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Tue, 01 May 2018 09:10:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/05/01/the-civilian-cost-of-syrias-new-battle-against-isis https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/05/01/the-civilian-cost-of-syrias-new-battle-against-isis Civilians residing in the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp south of Damascus are caught in fierce fighting between government forces and ISIS militants, while being deprived of healthcare, food and medical supplies. ISIS Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Thu, 26 Apr 2018 09:10:00 +0000 Neil Hauer https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/04/26/north-caucasian-militants-may-be-seeking-syria-exit https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/04/26/north-caucasian-militants-may-be-seeking-syria-exit They were once a formidable fighting force in Syria. But it appears that the era of North Caucasian jihadist fighters is drawing to a close, as many scale back on military activities in the country, writes intelligence analyst Neil Hauer. ISIS Wed, 04 Apr 2018 12:20:00 +0000 Emily Burchfield https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/04/04/analysis-washington-still-has-work-to-do-in-former-isis-territories https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/04/04/analysis-washington-still-has-work-to-do-in-former-isis-territories Before the U.S. pulls out of Syria, Washington needs to address a governance gap left in some former ISIS territories. Otherwise, marginalized Arab communities will likely ally with the Syrian government or extremist forces, writes Emily Burchfield of the Atlantic Council. ISIS Tue, 13 Mar 2018 13:00:00 +0000 Abdulrahman al-Masri https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/03/13/the-fight-against-isis-in-southern-syria-amid-israeli-iranian-tension https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/03/13/the-fight-against-isis-in-southern-syria-amid-israeli-iranian-tension Should southern Syria become a new battlefront in the struggle between Israel and Iran, it is likely to inadvertently allow for an affiliate of the Islamic State group to expand its territorial reach and consolidate power, writes journalist Abdulrahman al-Masri. ISIS Religious & Ethnic Groups Wed, 10 Jan 2018 08:11:25 +0000 Yousif Kalian https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/01/10/the-fate-of-minorities-in-post-isis-syria-and-iraq https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/01/10/the-fate-of-minorities-in-post-isis-syria-and-iraq The ability of Syria and Iraq’s minorities to rebuild their communities in the post-ISIS landscape will depend very much on the political situation in these countries, according to analyst Yousif Kalian. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Human Rights ISIS War Economy Tue, 02 Jan 2018 07:24:55 +0000 Alessandria Masi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/01/02/must-read-coverage-on-syria-from-2017 https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/01/02/must-read-coverage-on-syria-from-2017 We’ve compiled our best coverage of the biggest issues in Syria this year – from safe zones and increasing foreign involvement to new avenues for pursuing justice, and the impact of Syria’s war economy. ISIS Fri, 15 Dec 2017 12:02:32 +0000 Hashem Osseiran https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/12/15/why-reports-of-isis-demise-have-been-greatly-exaggerated https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/12/15/why-reports-of-isis-demise-have-been-greatly-exaggerated During the same week the U.S. and Russia declared victory over ISIS in Syria, the militant group launched a series of surprise attacks around the country. Despite the triumphant claims of world leaders, these offensives suggest such statements are a little premature. Human Rights ISIS Mon, 11 Dec 2017 13:40:10 +0000 Haid Haid https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/12/11/after-the-caliphate-questions-loom-over-fate-of-isis-captives https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/12/11/after-the-caliphate-questions-loom-over-fate-of-isis-captives The so-called Islamic State has been driven from most of its territory in Syria, but the fate of the thousands of civilians captured by extremists remains largely unknown, writes Chatham House fellow Haid Haid, whose cousin was kidnapped by ISIS. Civil Society ISIS Thu, 07 Dec 2017 12:46:40 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/12/07/conversations-life-as-a-paramedic-during-isis-rule-of-raqqa https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/12/07/conversations-life-as-a-paramedic-during-isis-rule-of-raqqa For medical professionals in ISIS’ former stronghold of Raqqa, trying to save lives meant risking shelling, airstrikes and arrest. ISIS Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Wed, 15 Nov 2017 13:05:44 +0000 Nicholas A. Heras, Omar Abu Layla https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/11/15/the-security-vacuum-in-post-isis-deir-ezzor https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/11/15/the-security-vacuum-in-post-isis-deir-ezzor As ISIS pulls out of eastern Syria, U.S.-backed forces will have to contend with stabilizing this territory. But without local allies, the security of SDF-held territory will be challenged, write journalist Omar Abu Layla and security expert Nicholas A. Heras. ISIS War Economy Tue, 14 Nov 2017 12:45:53 +0000 Kim Bode, Hashem Osseiran, Alessandria Masi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/11/14/expert-views-after-isis-who-controls-syrias-natural-resources https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/11/14/expert-views-after-isis-who-controls-syrias-natural-resources Syria Deeply’s expert community weighed in on how the capture of resource-rich territory from ISIS in east Syria could affect competition to control the country’s gas and oil and how it could impact the parties fighting ISIS. Civil Society ISIS Mon, 13 Nov 2017 13:31:36 +0000 Karam Alhamad https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/11/13/isis-may-soon-be-defeated-but-terror-continues-in-deir-ezzor https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/11/13/isis-may-soon-be-defeated-but-terror-continues-in-deir-ezzor As ISIS is pushed out of Deir Ezzor, local groups must lead the provision of public services and be given political representation. Failure to do this could lead to a new nationalist movement, writes local activist Karam Alhamad. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces ISIS Fri, 10 Nov 2017 13:54:24 +0000 Hashem Osseiran https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/11/10/what-an-isis-retreat-in-boukamal-could-mean-for-the-war-in-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/11/10/what-an-isis-retreat-in-boukamal-could-mean-for-the-war-in-syria The Syrian government is trying to capture the last ISIS stronghold in Syria. If it’s successful, it would be positioned for both a military and economic boost as it moves to secure a section of its frontier with Iraq, according to Fabrice Balanche of the Hoover Institution. Civil Society ISIS Wed, 08 Nov 2017 05:00:05 +0000 Alexandra Bradford https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/11/08/women-at-forefront-of-humanitarian-demining-efforts-in-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/11/08/women-at-forefront-of-humanitarian-demining-efforts-in-syria The explosive remnants of war pose a long-term threat to reconstruction and peacebuilding efforts in Syria. Women, however, are playing a notably growing role as humanitarian groups shift their focus to land-mine clearing and risk education. ISIS Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Mon, 06 Nov 2017 12:47:23 +0000 Yasser Allawi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/11/06/conversations-fleeing-isis-conscription-in-deir-ezzor https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/11/06/conversations-fleeing-isis-conscription-in-deir-ezzor When ISIS ordered the forced conscription of all men of fighting age in Deir Ezzor, Ali knew he had no other choice but to enlist a smuggler and escape the eastern province. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs ISIS Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Wed, 25 Oct 2017 13:15:15 +0000 Aron Lund https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/10/25/analysis-what-the-reconstruction-of-raqqa-could-mean-for-syrias-war https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/10/25/analysis-what-the-reconstruction-of-raqqa-could-mean-for-syrias-war After the dangerous process of demining Raqqa is completed, the question of who will govern and rebuild the city will become even more crucial and could impact the endgame of the war, writes Syria expert Aron Lund in IRIN News. Civil Society ISIS Fri, 20 Oct 2017 06:31:10 +0000 Sarmad Al Jilane https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/10/20/diary-how-i-feel-the-pain-of-beautiful-raqqa https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/10/20/diary-how-i-feel-the-pain-of-beautiful-raqqa Sarmad, a founding member of Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently, initially sought safety from the Assad regime in Raqqa. Ultimately, he ended up risking his life to expose atrocities carried out by the so-called Islamic State in their de facto capital. ISIS Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Thu, 19 Oct 2017 14:14:06 +0000 Aaron Y. Zelin https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/10/19/after-raqqa-isis-still-seeks-to-govern https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/10/19/after-raqqa-isis-still-seeks-to-govern ISIS has not released any propaganda pictures or videos demonstrating its ability to govern in nearly a month, which might suggest the group is retreating from its territorial aspirations. However, Aaron Y. Zelin, fellow of the Washington Institute, argues otherwise. ISIS Wed, 18 Oct 2017 14:59:37 +0000 Ashish Kumar Sen https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/10/18/after-the-battle-for-raqqa-now-comes-the-hard-part https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/10/18/after-the-battle-for-raqqa-now-comes-the-hard-part After U.S.-backed SDF forces announced the end of the battle against ISIS in Raqqa on Tuesday, the Atlantic Council’s experts weigh in on how this will impact ISIS and the remaining challenges. ISIS Fri, 29 Sep 2017 03:00:19 +0000 Sara Manisera https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/09/29/i-came-for-the-jihad-women-tell-of-life-in-the-islamic-state https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/09/29/i-came-for-the-jihad-women-tell-of-life-in-the-islamic-state They were the brides of the so-called Islamic State. These days, they are detained in a camp for the internally displaced north of Raqqa city. They speak to Syria Deeply about life in the caliphate, and whether or not they would return to their homes. ISIS Tue, 26 Sep 2017 11:46:47 +0000 Nawar Oliver, Hashem Osseiran https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/09/26/mapping-the-battle-against-isis-in-deir-ezzor https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/09/26/mapping-the-battle-against-isis-in-deir-ezzor Syria Deeply examines the pitched battle for Deir Ezzor, including advances by both the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Assad government against the so-called Islamic State in the oil-rich province. Displacement ISIS Wed, 20 Sep 2017 11:25:42 +0000 Wladimir van Wilgenburg https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/09/20/inside-ain-al-issa-hunting-for-isis-in-the-north-raqqa-idp-camp https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/09/20/inside-ain-al-issa-hunting-for-isis-in-the-north-raqqa-idp-camp In the second of a two-part series, we report on Kurdish-led forces’ rigorous security screening procedures at the Ain al-Issa IDP camp that aim to weed out potential ISIS fighters from the thousands of civilians fleeing militant-held territory every day. Displacement ISIS Fri, 01 Sep 2017 11:33:25 +0000 Wladimir van Wilgenburg https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/09/01/inside-ain-al-issa-waiting-room-for-displaced-in-battle-against-isis https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/09/01/inside-ain-al-issa-waiting-room-for-displaced-in-battle-against-isis Thousands of internally displaced Syrians arrived in Ain al-Issa camp nearly 11 months ago, when the Syrian Democratic Forces began its anti-ISIS campaign. In the first of a two-part series, we report on the struggles of those who live in the camp in Raqqa province. ISIS Mon, 28 Aug 2017 13:53:07 +0000 Hashem Osseiran https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/08/28/what-hezbollahs-safe-transfer-deal-with-isis-means-for-lebanon-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/08/28/what-hezbollahs-safe-transfer-deal-with-isis-means-for-lebanon-syria Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) senior associate Aram Nerguizian discusses the potential impact of a deal between Hezbollah and ISIS to allow the safe transfer of fighters from the so-called Islamic State across the Lebanon border into Syria. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces ISIS Fri, 25 Aug 2017 12:07:27 +0000 Kim Bode, Hashem Osseiran, Alessandria Masi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/08/25/deeply-talks-the-battle-against-isis-in-deir-ezzor https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/08/25/deeply-talks-the-battle-against-isis-in-deir-ezzor As pro-government fighters inch closer to ISIS’ last Syrian stronghold, Deir Ezzor, Syria Deeply talks with Hassan Hassan of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy about the main stakeholders involved and the battle’s potential impact on Syria’s balance of power. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs ISIS Fri, 18 Aug 2017 09:02:47 +0000 Frederic C. Hof https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/08/18/washington-makes-room-for-rivals-in-eastern-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/08/18/washington-makes-room-for-rivals-in-eastern-syria The U.S. government should focus on post-ISIS stabilization in the east of the country if it hopes to block widening Iranian control, writes the Atlantic Council’s Frederic C. Hof. Human Rights ISIS Thu, 17 Aug 2017 10:59:00 +0000 Arwa al-Basha https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/08/17/a-mothers-loss-in-the-coalitions-battle-for-raqqa https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/08/17/a-mothers-loss-in-the-coalitions-battle-for-raqqa Umm Omar had not seen her youngest son, Ali, in three years before he was killed by a U.S.-led coalition airstrike on Raqqa city. He is just one of the roughly 500 people who have reportedly been killed by coalition airstrikes on ISIS’s former Syrian stronghold since June. Displacement Government & Pro-Government Forces ISIS Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Fri, 21 Jul 2017 11:56:09 +0000 Kareem Chehayeb https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/07/21/analysis-what-a-battle-on-the-lebanese-border-could-mean-for-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/07/21/analysis-what-a-battle-on-the-lebanese-border-could-mean-for-syria A battle on the outskirts of a Lebanese border town will have significant implications on the Syrian refugee population in Lebanon and may boost Hezbollah’s capabilities in Syria as it moves to secure a section of the Lebanese frontier, writes Kareem Chehayeb. Civil Society Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs ISIS Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Thu, 20 Jul 2017 08:23:59 +0000 Rao Komar, Hossam Abouzahr, Aaron Stein https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/07/20/how-turkey-is-governing-in-northern-aleppo https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/07/20/how-turkey-is-governing-in-northern-aleppo At the end of major combat operations in Syria’s north, the Turkish government faces many challenges governing areas it now controls. Atlantic Council’s Aaron Stein, Hossam Abouzahr and Rao Komar tracked stabilization projects and violence in Aleppo’s northern countryside. ISIS War Economy Mon, 17 Jul 2017 03:00:10 +0000 Haid Haid https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/07/17/how-the-economic-model-of-isis-evolves-post-caliphate https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/07/17/how-the-economic-model-of-isis-evolves-post-caliphate Due to U.S.-led military operations to counter its finances, the so-called Islamic State is not only changing its military tactics but also adapting its economic practices, writes Chatham House fellow Haid Haid.