US and Iraqi officials warn that Islamic State is regaining influence in Iraq and Syria via a campaign of guerrilla attacks; new funding mechanisms; and renewed recruitment efforts.
In March of this year, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) declared victory over ISIS in Syria after recapturing the terror group’s last stronghold in the country. However, a recent report by the US Inspector General shows that President Donald Trump’s decision to reduce the 2,000 US troops in Syria to less than half that amount has undermined efforts of US-backed forces in the country to prevent a resurgence of ISIS in the region. As a result, ISIS has managed to mobilize up to 18,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria that are carrying out various types of attacks against security forces and local leaders.
Read more: ISIS Is Regaining Strength in Iraq and Syria
