<2>Islamic State Claims Two Attacks on Syrian Army, Announces ‘New Phase’ of Operations
<3>The Rise of the Islamic State in Syria
The Islamic State (IS), also known as ISIS or ISIL, has been a major player in the Syrian conflict since its inception in 2011. The group has been responsible for numerous attacks on Syrian government forces, as well as civilians, and has controlled large swaths of territory in the country.
<4>Recent Attacks on Syrian Army
In a recent statement, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for two attacks on Syrian government forces. The first attack occurred in the province of Aleppo, where IS militants launched a surprise assault on a Syrian army outpost. The second attack took place in the province of Homs, where IS fighters ambushed a Syrian army convoy.
<5>Announcement of ‘New Phase’ of Operations
In a statement released on social media, the Islamic State announced the beginning of a ‘new phase’ of operations against the Syrian government. The statement claimed that the group had been preparing for this phase for months and was now ready to launch a series of attacks on Syrian government forces.
<6>Analysis of the Situation
The recent attacks by the Islamic State on Syrian government forces are a significant development