Syria Situation Report: April 20-28
Apr 28, 2015 - Institute for t...Anti-Assad forces expand territorial control in Idlib
Anti-Assad forces expand territorial control in Idlib
Regime Fears Coup from within Alawite Community; Deploys Reinforcements to Support PKK-linked Syrian Kurds in Hasaka
ISIS Expansion into Southwestern Syria Threatens Previously-Stable Zones of Regime Control as Prominent Southern Rebel Factions Claim Opposition to JN
ISIS Expansion into Southwestern Syria Threatens Previously-Stable Zones of Regime Control as Prominent Southern Rebel Factions Claim Opposition to JN
The ISIS push into the Yarmouk refugee camp signifies ISIS intent to reclaim areas of Southern Damascus with a history of ISIS control.
Key Takeaway
JN and Rebel Forces Seize Provincial Capital in Idlib, Militia Headquarters in Dera’a: JN and rebel forces made two crucial gains against regime forces that threaten the continued viability of the regime’s Syria-wide war effort in 2015.
Rebel forces participating in the “Jaysh al-Fatah Operations Room” led by al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra (JN) seized the city of Idlib on March 28, 2015, following a four day offensive.
Merger of Prominent Islamist Groups Provides JN Opportunity to Establish Partnership: The absorption of Suqour al-Sham into HASI counters rising JN influence in northern Syria by consolidating the combat power of major Islamist elements of the opposition. The merger does not, however, necessarily challenge JN’s military supremacy nor jeopardize its ongoing efforts to govern.