ISIS

Exclusive: U.S. weighs deploying up to 1,000 ‘reserve’ troops for IS fight

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is weighing a deployment of up to 1,000 American soldiers to Kuwait to serve as a reserve force in the fight against Islamic State as U.S.-backed fighters accelerate the offensive in Syria and Iraq, U.S. officials told Reuters. Proponents of the option, which has not been previously reported, said it […]

U.S. Marines arrive in Syria, bring heavy artillery with them

Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in Syria this week, along with M777 Howitzers armed with 155 millimeter explosive shells.  Their presence is intended to bolster the coalition of militias, collectively referred to as Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as they continue their offensive to take ISIS’ self-declared capital, Raqqa. While the Pentagon has […]

With a show of Stars and Stripes, U.S. forces in Syria try to keep warring allies apart

BEIRUT — The U.S. military is getting drawn into a deepening struggle for control over areas liberated from the Islamic State that risks prolonging American involvement in wars in Syria and Iraq long after the militants are defeated. In their first diversion from the task of fighting the Islamic State since the U.S. military’s involvement […]

US Marine Corps Deploys to Syria with the Big Guns!

It is being reported by the Marine Corps that a ‘couple hundred’ Marines have moved into Syria from the 11 th Marine Expeditionary Unit and they have taken artillery with them. Moving within artillery range of Raqqa, the so called capital of the Islamic State the Marines will be positioned to take immediate action in support […]

Coalition forces report ISIS leader has likely fled Mosul

According to U.S. and Iraqi officials, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic state, has fled Mosul, leaving operational commanders and diehard followers behind to fight the losing battle for the city. Intelligence officials have not been able to locate al-Baghdadi, but were able to come to the conclusion that he’s fled the city […]

U.S. support for YPG fighters frustrates Turkey, who calls them terrorists

The American campaign to remove the Islamic State from northern Syria continues to be complicated by the various armed groups and allegiances on the ground. Turkey, a critical ally for the United States in counter-terrorism operations in the region, has expressed great concern over American support for the Kurdish YPG, an armed group fighting against […]

Syrian army captures water station supplying Aleppo from Islamic State

The Syrian army and its allies have captured the main water pumping station that supplies Aleppo in a sweeping advance against Islamic State that has brought them to the bank of the Euphrates, a group that monitors the conflict said on Tuesday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the army and allied forces made […]

Welcome to Raqqa, a photo-essay from the frontlines

Today I want to introduce my friend Joey L. to SOFREP readers.  Joey is an accomplished professional photographer who I traveled to Damascus, Syria with last year.  He has also made several trips to Iraq and Kurdish held northern Syria.  This report details his last trip to Syria a few months ago and helps set […]

30 people killed as Islamic State gunmen dressed as doctors storm a Kabul hospital

At least three gunmen entered Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan Hospital in Kabul, a hospital with 400 beds, dressed in white coats posing as doctors. In the attack, 30 people were killed and 50 were injured. A suicide bombing at the southern gate initiated the attack which was followed by gunfire. After the explosion at approximately 9 am […]

U.S.-backed Iraqi forces capture Mosul bridge, close in on state buildings

MOSUL, Iraq — U.S.-backed Iraqi forces captured the second of Mosul’s five bridges on Monday, giving a boost to their onslaught on the Islamic State militant group’s remaining strongholds in the western part of the city. All of Mosul’s five bridges have been destroyed, but the capture of the remaining parts on the west bank […]

The 75th Ranger Regiment hits the ground in Syria for Raqqa offensive

After months of planning and deliberations, the 75th Ranger Regiment has been deployed to Syria to participate in the war against ISIS as the coalition closes in on the so-called caliphate’s capital city of Raqqa.  Yesterday, the first images emerged of Stryker armored vehicles on their way to Manbij.  This comes weeks after Rangers deployed […]