Posted on Aug 10, 2015
Do you think ISIS has gained or lost territory since it took Mosul last June?
5.16K
5
7
1
1
0
See the full collection of ISW's ISIS Sanctuary Maps to make up your mind.
On ISW's site: http://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/tracking-isis-islamic-state
On ISW's site: http://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/tracking-isis-islamic-state
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
Institute For The Study of War Just based on the maps and graphics, ISIS has gained ground. I have no way to judge relative strength of ISIS, but it is clear that the Iraqi government failed to maintain an integrated Armed Force and to defend the Sunni areas. If you are a Sunni, your choices are very limited. Trust the Shiite or become orthodox Sunni and survive.
No easy answers.
No easy answers.
(1)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
LTC John Shaw This is something that really irks me 30,000 Iraqi troops run away from 800 ISIS troops....where is their backbone where is their desire to defend their city?
(1)
(0)
ISIS has lost ground since it took Mosul. As they gained power and seemed invincible they began to drop and or betray groups that had aided in their advancement. It attacked groups which were not opposing it Peshmerga and Yazidis, beheaded American journalist, usurped the authority of the Nations and groups that were supporting it by declaring a Caliphate, and committed genocidal slaughter.... These were pointless military moves and did nothing to gain support or sympathy for their cause. The most revealing sign of ISIS' decline is that they are no longer conquering territory, seizing major towns (not for a lack of effort). Airstrikes have shrunk their financial and military resources. They lack the industrial base to capably replace lost military equipment to sustain their efforts. ISIS must capture military equipment in order to supply it's troops. Recent attempts to secure military equipment using this method have been mostly unsuccessful.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next