The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced on Friday, November 10, that the Islamic State group, ISIS, has managed to reclaim parts of the city of Al-Bukamal through a counterattack. According to Reuters, the Syrian Observatory states that after being driven out of Al-Bukamal by government forces and their allies, ISIS forces were able to retake sections of the city today. The Syrian government had previously announced the complete liberation of this city. The Syrian army also declared victory in the war against ISIS, stating that the capture of the last city under the group's control in Syrian territory is a 'significant' indication of the end of their three-year reign of extremism and brutality in the region. Al-Bukamal is considered the last major stronghold of ISIS, located on the border with Iraq alongside the Euphrates River. According to AFP, Rami Abdulrahman, the head of the Syrian Observatory, stated that the militants have managed to regain neighborhoods in the north and northeast. Rami Abdulrahman added that ISIS is trying to defend its last stronghold. Over the past two years, the Islamic State has suffered numerous defeats and has lost almost all of its 'caliphate' territory in Iraq and Syria. The group had captured vast areas of Iraq and Syria in 2014. Following a month of advances by Syrian government forces and the Shiite militia Hezbollah in central and eastern Syria, the Syrian government announced on Wednesday that pro-Assad forces managed to completely besiege Al-Bukamal. Meanwhile, a news network affiliated with Hezbollah reported that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS, was present in Al-Bukamal. According to Reuters, despite this report, the US-led coalition announced on Friday that it has no publishable information regarding the fate of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The civil war in Syria has left hundreds of thousands dead and displaced millions. In this context, the Associated Press reported that the US and Russia are nearing an agreement on Syria.
ISIS Forces Reclaim Parts of Al-Bukamal City
ISIS has launched a counterattack and reclaimed parts of Al-Bukamal city after being previously driven out by Syrian government forces. This development highlights the ongoing struggle for control in the region, as ISIS attempts to defend its last stronghold amidst significant territorial losses over the past two years.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
ISIS has launched a counterattack and reclaimed parts of Al-Bukamal city after being previously driven out by Syrian government forces. This development underscores the ongoing struggle for control in the region as ISIS attempts to defend its last stronghold amidst significant territorial losses over the past two years.
- Al-Bukamal is considered the last major stronghold of ISIS in Syria.
- The Syrian government had previously declared victory over ISIS in this city.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Syrian civil war has been ongoing since 2011, leading to significant territorial changes and the rise and fall of various militant groups, including ISIS. The conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis with millions displaced.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%