Syria: Assad forces push IS out of Homs province August 12

Event

Syrian government forces took control of al-Sukhna – the last major town held by Islamic State (IS) forces – on Saturday, August 12, according to Syrian state media. This strategic victory, killing multiple IS militants and destroying their weapons, comes as the Syrian army and allied forces continue their multi-pronged advance into the IS-controlled areas of eastern Syria.

Al-Sukhna lies around 50 km (30 mi) from the provincial border with Deir al-Zor province, the last major IS stronghold in Syria. Expect an increasingly rapid deterioration of IS forces and territory in coming weeks.

Context

At its greatest territorial extent in 2015, IS controlled around 90,000 sq km (35,000 sq mi) in Syria and Iraq - nearly the size of the US state of California. IS has since lost nearly 80 percent of this territory, with around one-third of this territorial loss occurring just in the last six months.

Syria is enmeshed in a complex civil war that started between the Assad government and opposition forces in March 2011. Today, the conflict in Syria involves many parties, including the Syrian government, the Russian government, the Iranian government, the Turkish government, a United States-led coalition, and numerous armed groups on the ground (including the Islamic State) with competing goals.

Advice

Due to extremely poor security conditions, Western governments generally advise against all travel to Syria, with some banning travel to the country. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to any travel to Syria.