Syria Situation Report: July 22 - 29, 2016
July 29, 2016 - Chris Kozak![](https://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumb-wide/public/July22-29%20EDITSI%20COT-01_0.png?itok=d1K3wtzO)
Pro-regime forces completed the encirclement of Aleppo City on July 28, isolating the main stronghold of mainstream opposition groups in Northern Syria. Meanwhile, Jabhat al-Nusra head Abu Muhammad al-Jolani issued a video statement announcing the formation of a new group called ‘Jabhat Fatah a-Sham’ with “no affiliation to any external entity” in a symbolic break with Al-Qaeda. The rebranding represents a calculated move to facilitate the unification of armed opposition groups in a “grand merger” that continues to pursue the long-term strategic vision of Al-Qaeda to establish an Islamic Emirate in Syria.