Publications

Iraq Situation Report: May 12-13, 2015

May 13, 2015 - Sinan Adnan

CENTCOM has not confirmed the death of senior ISIS leader Abu Ala al-Afri following a statement from the Iraqi Defense Ministry indicating that a coalition airstrike based on prior intelligence had killed Afri near Mosul. Reports of senior ISIS casualties usually take time to confirm.

Syria Situation Report: May 5-12, 2015

May 13, 2015 - Chris Kozak

ISIS targets the regime in Hasaka to offset losses to the YPG while also trying to expand in the Central Corridor and out to the west.  JN declares itself in direct confrontation with ISIS while JN and rebels resist regime offensives in Idlib.

Syria Situation Report: May 5-12, 2015

May 13, 2015 - Genevieve Casagrande

ISIS targets the regime in Hasaka to offset losses to the YPG while also trying to expand in the Central Corridor and out to the west.  JN declares itself in direct confrontation with ISIS while JN and rebels resist regime offensives in Idlib.

Iraq Situation Report: May 9-11, 2015

May 11, 2015 - Sinan Adnan

The prison break in Khalis that resulted in the escape of ISIS fighters was reminiscent of previous attacks by ISIS that replenished its ranks in 2012-2013.

 

 

ISIS Global Intelligence Summary

May 10, 2015 - Harleen Gambhir

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed in February 2015 that ISIS would pursue simultaneous campaigns to defend territory in Iraq and Syria, to foster affiliates in the region, and to polarize populations globally. Events from the March-May 2015 reporting period demonstrate that ISIS is now executing this multifaceted strategy.

Iraq Situation Report: May 7-8, 2015

May 10, 2015 - Sinan Adnan

The contest for the Baiji Oil Renery is accelerating as ISIS cut off supply routes previously used by the ISF and occupied positions within the facility.

 

Ukraine Crisis Update: May 7, 2015

May 7, 2015 - Hugo Spaulding

ISW is issuing a warning about an imminent Russian-backed separatist o_ensive in eastern Ukraine on or around Victory Day, May 9, 2015.

 

Iraq Situation Report: May 4-6, 2015

May 7, 2015 - Sinan Adnan

During his current visit to Washington, the president of Iraqi Kurdistan, Masoud Barzani reiterated his desire for an independent Kurdistan. Similarly, the U.S. reiterated its desire for a “united, federal, and democratic Iraq,” signaling that it does not support Kurdish autonomy.

Syria Situation Report: April 28-May 5, 2015

May 7, 2015 - Jennifer Cafarella

Violence escalates in Syrian-Lebanese border region.  Has Hezbollah decided to just contain JN or is there a “Battle of Qalamoun” coming?  Also, regional actors appear willing to increase support to rebel groups with rumors of anti-aircraft capabilities coming.

Iraq Situation Report: May 4, 2015

May 4, 2015 - Sinan Adnan

The provision in the House Armed Service Committee’s draft defense bill that would permit the U.S. to directly distribute arms to Iraq’s Sunni and Kurdish communities continued to generate negative reactions in Baghdad. 

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