Posted on 01/15/2015 8:02:13 AM PST by SeekAndFind
American jets are pounding Syria. But ISIS is taking key terrain—and putting more and more people under its black banners. ISIS continues to gain substantial ground in Syria, despite nearly 800 airstrikes in the American-led campaign to break its grip there.
At least one-third of the country’s territory is now under ISIS influence, with recent gains in rural areas that can serve as a conduit to major cities that the so-called Islamic State hopes to eventually claim as part of its caliphate. Meanwhile, the Islamic extremist group does not appear to have suffered any major ground losses since the strikes began. The result is a net ground gain for ISIS, according to information compiled by two groups with on-the-ground sources.
In Syria, ISIS “has not any lost any key terrain,” Jennifer Cafarella, a fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based Institute for the Study of War who studies the Syrian conflict, explained to The Daily Beast.
Even U.S. military officials privately conceded to The Daily Beast that ISIS has gained ground in some areas, even as the Pentagon claims its seized territory elsewhere, largely around the northern city of Kobani. That’s been the focus of the U.S.-led campaign, and ISIS has not been able to take the town, despite its best efforts.
Other than that, they are short on specifics.
(Excerpt) Read more at thedailybeast.com ...
U.S. Strikes ? It was just another Obama speech, no strikes
Did anyone actually think the Obama Administration was trying to stop ISIS?
It seems like what is happening is that our ‘strikes’ are just taking out ISIS’s competitors.
U.S. strikes...? Turning the whole area into glass would be the correct so called “strike” FUBO!!!!
I get a kick out of how the Democrats are supposed to be so caring and compassionate. Waging war with no plan or intent to win is cruel. The Democrat leaders are just a bunch of self-serving bastards.
We sit in our nice homes worried about football games and entertainers while desperate struggles go on involving our citizens in uniform.
Pardon me if I’m being obtuse. Is there a relationship between the Saudis and ISIS? Sponsorship maybe- whether overt or otherwise?
Asking because I’m more than tempted to see the Syrian Civil War as a fight between the Russians and the Saudis over pipeline access to European energy markets.
Yep, sure looks like they’re winning...
Why would the U.S. destroy what we created? These “attacks” are pinpricks and window-dressing.
Yeah....and they set up shop in Helmund province in Afghanistan when the Brits left a month or so ago.....
And that was 0’s intention.
Airstrikes are only turning the local tribes against US influence.
It would s because Assad is losing a war of attrition. Too many dead soldiers
Quelle Surprise. /s
After six months of airstrikes, ISIS should be out of Iraq.
They aren’t.
Which tells you O does no want to defeat ISIS.
US still just blowing up previously blown up cars and scrap metal piles?
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