Syria Situation Report: June 10 - 17, 2016

The Syrian Civil War continued to escalate despite international pressure to enforce a diplomatic solution to the conflict. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called for the start of a new nationwide ‘cessation of hostilities’ within the “next week or two” following a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on June 15 but warned that U.S. patience was wearing thin. Meanwhile, Russia announced the start of a two-day 'regime of calm' in Aleppo City on June 16. At the same time, Russia intensified its air campaign on behalf of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad – striking populated civilian areas in Aleppo City and Idlib City as well as a Free Syrian Army (FSA)-affiliated opposition group trained by the U.S. Department of Defense. Russia likely intends to obfuscate its role in exacerbating the Syrian Civil War while pursuing its own strategic objectives to undermine the U.S. and its partners in the region.

This graphic marks the latest installment of our Syria SITREP Map made possible through a partnership between the Institute for the Study of War and Syria Direct.