Publications

Syria Situation Report: April 16-22, 2016

April 22, 2016 - Chris Kozak

Russia actions raised concerns after reportedly redeploying artillery units and personnel to the vicinity of Aleppo City, according to senior U.S. officials. The deployments come amidst a major breakdown in the Geneva III Talks. Meanwhile, the Syrian Kurdish YPG and its affiliated Asayish internal security forces engaged in heavy clashes with pro-regime forces in Qamishli in Hasaka Province following an altercation at a pro-regime checkpoint.

ISIS Sanctuary Map: April 22, 2016

April 22, 2016 - Harleen Gambhir

Since the publication of ISW’s last ISIS sanctuary map on March 31, 2016, ISIS lost terrain in Iraq and Syria. Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) recaptured the city of Hit in Anbar Province, western Iraq from ISIS on April 14 as part of ongoing operations to secure the Euphrates River Valley. Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) forces also continue to contest ISIS's control in the Makhoul Mountains, north of Baiji.

ISIS Sanctuary Map: April 22, 2016

April 22, 2016 - Harleen Gambhir

Since the publication of ISW’s last ISIS sanctuary map on March 31, 2016, ISIS lost terrain in Iraq and Syria. Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) recaptured the city of Hit in Anbar Province, western Iraq from ISIS on April 14 as part of ongoing operations to secure the Euphrates River Valley. Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) forces also continue to contest ISIS's control in the Makhoul Mountains, north of Baiji.

Iraq Control of Terrain Map: April 21, 2016

April 21, 2016 - Patrick Martin

The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and tribal fighters with Coalition air support recaptured Hit District on April 14 as part of an ongoing operation to remove ISIS from the Euphrates River Valley. 

ISIS-Linked Activity in Southeast Asia: March 2 to April 21, 2016

April 21, 2016 - Harleen Gambhir

ISIS continues to expand its influence in Southeast Asia. ISIS confirmed local militant leader Isnilon Hapilon as its appointed leader in the Philippines on April 19, indicating that ISIS likely intends to announce an affiliate in the area in the near term.

ISIS-Linked Activity in Southeast Asia: March 2 to April 21, 2016

April 21, 2016 - Harleen Gambhir

ISIS continues to expand its influence in Southeast Asia.

Russian Military Activity in Syria: March 15 – April 18, 2016

April 20, 2016 - Genevieve Casagrande
Russia remains a decisive actor in Syria despite announcing its limited drawdown on March 14. It has since reshaped the nature of its deployment and military operations in ways that continue to bolster the Assad regime’s position on the ground as well as at the negotiating table, while allowing Russia to maintain its strategic military foothold along the Eastern Mediterranean. Russian military contributions continue to shape the battlefield momentum of pro-regime operations through the deployment of alternative assets to theater such as advanced rotary wing attack aircraft.

Power-plays in Iraq's Political Crisis: Constitutional Provisions

April 15, 2016 - Patrick Martin

Iraq's political crisis is cresting to a point where the collapse of the government is a distinct possibility. Thi document examines and excerpts the relevant sections of the Iraqi Constitution related to the powers to dismiss and/or dissolve the various bodies and positions in the Iraqi government.

Iraq's Political Crisis: An Interactive Timeline

April 15, 2016 - Harleen Gambhir

ISW's timeline presents the major meetings and events leading to Iraq's current political crisis. Spanning 7 weeks, this timeline details nearly 70 individual meetings related to the political crisis precipitated by Prime Minister Abadi’s announcement of an impending Cabinet shuffle. The meetings demonstrate the level of negotiations between international and regional actors and Iraq’s major political blocs to find a solution to Iraq’s ongoing political crisis.

Syria Situation Report: April 9-15, 2016

April 15, 2016 - Chris Kozak

Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi announced that Russia and Syria are preparing a joint operation to seize Aleppo City on April 10. This map marks the return of ISW's Syria SITREP in partnership with Syria Direct.

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