Syria

ISIS seized the last regime-controlled border crossing between Syria and Iraq with the capture of the al-Tanf crossing on May 22 following a regime withdrawal.

ISIS seized the last regime-controlled border crossing between Syria and Iraq with the capture of the al-Tanf crossing on May 22 following a regime withdrawal.

ISIS seized the regime-held town of al-Sukna west of Deir ez-Zour City on May 14 and then seized the regime stronghold of Palmyra on May 20 after regime forces reportedly executed a full withdrawal from the city, prison, and military airbase.

ISIS seized the regime-held town of al-Sukna west of Deir ez-Zour City on May 14, severing the regime’s ground line of communication from Palmyra in the central Homs Desert to Deir ez-Zour City and eff­ectively isolating remaining regime positions in western Deir ez-Zour.

The ISIS seizure of Palmyra city is a major defeat for the Assad regime that is likely to jeopardize the regime’s ability to maintain a foothold in Deir ez-Zour.

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.

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.

Jabhat al-Nusra (JN) and rebel forces seized control of the Nasib border crossing with Jordan in Dera’a Province on April 2, 2