ISIS Sanctuary Map: December 8, 2016
December 8, 2016 - Alexandra Gutowski![](https://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumb-wide/public/Sanctuary%20Map%208%20DEC_Map%20Only_0.png?itok=Cy9vNsCg)
ISIS lost significant control zones near Mosul, Raqqa, and al-Bab since October 17, 2016. Anti-ISIS forces fully encircled Mosul and penetrated the eastern side of the city. Meanwhile in Northern Aleppo, rival Kurdish-led Operation Euphrates Wrath and Turkish-backed Operation Euphrates Shield encroached on ISIS-held terrain near Raqqa and al-Bab, respectively. Operation Euphrates Wrath forces are positioned 30 km north of Raqqa as of December 8, 2016.