While nobody was looking, the Islamic State launched a new, deadly offensive

The Washington Post ^ | June 1, 2015 | Liz Sly

[MinorityRepublican]

GAZIANTEP, Turkey — Syrian rebels appealed for U.S. airstrikes to counter a new offensive by the Islamic State in the northern province of Aleppo that could reshape the battlefield in Syria.

The surprise assault, launched over the weekend, opened a new front in the multi-pronged war being waged by the extremist group across Iraq and Syria, and it underscored the Islamic State’s capacity to catch its enemies off guard.

The push — which came on the heels of the miltants’ capture of the Syrian city of Palmyra and the western Iraqi city of Ramadi late last month — took them within reach of the strategically vital town of Azaz on the Turkish border.

The offensive reinforces the impression that the Islamic State is regaining momentum despite more than eight months of U.S. led-airstrikes.

[Paladin2]

This JV team seems well on its way to wining the State championship.

[blackdog]

WWMHS

What would Marie Harf Say?

[tet68]

The offensive reinforces the impression that the Islamic State is regaining momentum despite more than eight months of U.S. led-pinpricks...

[Billthedrill]

Hmm...this, and the Russkis discreetly beating feet - sort of looks like Putin has left a little flaming bag of dog poo on 0bama’s doorstep, doesn’t it? What would Marie Harf do?

[Robert DeLong]

I had to read almost the entire article to find out if pleas for U.S. airstrikes to counter a new offensive by the Islamic State in the northern province of Aleppo had been met, and the answer is:

The rebels have asked the international coalition to carry out strikes and have presented coordinates of Islamic State positions, “but so far we have heard nothing,” Abu Mohammed said.

Not that I am surprised, as that is what I expected.

[Lysandru]

I have noted (as have others) that the Islamic State is flexible and has the ability to shift resources rapidly from front to front. Just as their foes shore up one front, they shift combat power to a different sector.

Now we know that they captured over 2000 HMMWVs in Mosul. That's astounding. And it may explain quite a bit.

[Army Air Corps]

Let’s ask Bruce Jenner what he thinks of this.

[Thud]

They can have all the air support they want, provided no one gets hurt and an equal number of males and females are targeted.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

Doing what we are doing, getting involved in a totally ineffective manner, sends a much worse message than if we did nothing. Our ineffective involvement makes them look much more formidable than they actually are - and they are very likely paying lots of attention to their own press clippings - as are their fans.

[SunkenCiv]

• New Battles Rage Near Aleppo Between Syrian Insurgents and ISIS
• Syria: Isis advance on Aleppo aided by Assad regime air strikes, US says
• Taliban fears over young recruits attracted to Isis in Afghanistan
• Assad recruits Afghan mercenaries to fight Isis
• Syria's Mercenaries: How Iran Uses Jailed Afghan Refugees To Fight Assad's war
• Syrian Druse could flee to Israel as Assad may abandon them to ISIS
• Exclusive: Key Rebels Ready to Quit U.S. Fight Vs. ISIS
• Thousands of Arabs driven out by Kurds' ethnic cleansing