Publications

Syria Situation Report: May 7 - 13, 2016

May 13, 2016 - Chris Kozak

A temporary ceasefire ended in Aleppo City on May 11, sparking a new wave of violence throughout the city and its outskirts. The U.S. and Russia brokered the local truce on May 5 as part of an effort to reinstate a nationwide 'cessation of hostilities'. Meanwhile, Lebanese Hezbollah military chief Mustafa Badreddine reportedly died in an unidentified explosion near Damascus less than a week after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps suffered one of its largest single-day combat losses in Syria.

ISIS's Explosive Attacks in the Greater Baghdad Area: April 4-May 11, 2016

May 11, 2016 - Patrick Martin

ISIS carried out explosive attacks in Baghdad and its environs to undermine an increasingly fragile Iraqi government through April and early May. The group exploited a security system both distracted by ongoing political upheaval caused by a stalled reform and burdened with protecting thousands of Shi’a pilgrims travelling to northern Baghdad for a major Shi’a holiday.

ISIS's Explosive Attacks in the Greater Baghdad Area: April 4-May 11, 2016

May 11, 2016 - Caitlin Forrest

ISIS carried out explosive attacks in Baghdad and its environs to undermine an increasingly fragile Iraqi government through April and early May. The group exploited a security system both distracted by ongoing political upheaval caused by a stalled reform and burdened with protecting thousands of Shi’a pilgrims travelling to northern Baghdad for a major Shi’a holiday.

Iraq Situation Report: April 26 - May 10, 2016

May 10, 2016 - Patrick Martin

Iraq’s political crisis has degenerated further as a majority of Iraqi parties, including the Kurdish parties and the Sunni Etihad bloc, have boycotted parliament sessions following the April 30 breach of the Green Zone by Sadrist demonstrators. 

Iraq Council of Representatives Graphic: May 9, 2016

May 9, 2016 - Patrick Martin

May 9 Update: Multiple political parties announced that they would boycott any upcoming session of the Council of Representatives (CoR). The Sunni Etihad bloc announced on May 9 that it would not attend any parliamentary session until those responsible for the April 30 protests were held accountable.

Political Blocs and Parties in Iraq's CoR: May 6, 2016

May 6, 2016 - Patrick Martin

This graphic is an approximate depiction of the current state of the Council of Representatives. It shows the number and party affiliation of CoR members who have boycotted future parliamentary sessions. It also shows the number and party affiliation of CoR members whom ISW assesses may be part of the Reform Front.

Syria Situation Report: April 27 - May 6, 2016

May 6, 2016 - Chris Kozak

The U.S. and Russia brokered an agreement to extend a temporary "regime of silence" to Aleppo City for 48 hours beginning on May 5. The agreement follows 10 days of violence in Aleppo City that killed at least 250 people and damaged at least 5 hospitals. Nonetheless, the renewed diplomatic effort to prevent an escalation in Aleppo City and re-institute a nationwide 'cessation of hostilities' faces severe challenges.

ISIS's Regional Campaign: April 2016

May 5, 2016 - ISW Press

 

ISIS's Regional Campaign: April 2016

May 5, 2016 - Harleen Gambhir

ISIS continued to pursue its regional campaign objectives of establishing affiliates and increasing disorder throughout historically Muslim lands. ISIS is preparing for a global surge of activities before and during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which will take place between June 6 and July 5, 2016.

Sadr Attempts a De-facto Coup in Iraq

May 1, 2016 - Emily Anagnostos
Key Take-Away: Sadrist Trend leader Muqtada al-Sadr is attempting to launch a de-facto coup against Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi.

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