Islamic State fighters have continued to wreak havoc in Syria despite losing their last stronghold in the country in 2019. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the jihadists have killed nearly 4,100 people in more than 2,550 operations since then. The victims include soldiers, government loyalists, Kurdish-led fighters, and civilians, with over 627 civilians being among the casualties. The group’s attacks have been concentrated in the vast Badia desert, a region stretching from the outskirts of Damascus to the Iraqi border. The Observatory reported that more than half of the 4,085 victims were killed in this desert region. IS fighters have carried out a relentless campaign of violence in the Badia, engaging in bombings, ambushes, targeted operations, and surprise attacks. The Syrian regime and its allies have responded with periodic security campaigns and airstrikes targeting the group’s desert hideouts. Despite sustaining significant losses since 2019, including the deaths of over 2,000 fighters and top leaders, IS remains a potent threat in Syria. The United Nations estimated in January that the group had between 3,000 and 5,000 fighters active in both Iraq and Syria, using the Badia as a logistical and operational hub in Syria. The ongoing violence in Syria, which began in 2011 with the brutal crackdown on anti-government protests, has claimed the lives of over half a million people and displaced millions more. The fight against IS continues to be a crucial aspect of the ongoing conflict, highlighting the group’s enduring threat despite its territorial defeats.
Islamic State Kills Thousands in Syria Despite Territorial Loss
