Cash-strapped Islamic State (ISIS) has lost almost a quarter of its territory in the last 15 months and the dreaded terror group is increasingly isolated and on the decline, according to a new study.
Data published by IHS Jane’s 360 has shown that since January 2015 the militant group has lost 22 per cent of its territory in Iraq and Syria and 8 per cent of the losses were in the past three months. “The tide of the war is turning against the Islamic State. Between January 1 and December 15, 2015, the Islamic State lost control of 14% of its territory. New analysis indicates that in the last 3 months, the Islamic State has lost a further 8 per cent of its territory,” the report said.
“In 2016, we have seen major losses in the north-east extend south towards Raqqa and Deir al-Zour as the mixed- sectarian Kurdish and Sunni Syrian Democratic Forces advance under the cover of US and Russian airstrikes,” it said.