Islamic State changing its tactics to ensure survival

Mahmud al-Batakoshi

The terrorist Islamic State organization was deeply affected by the loss of most of the territories it controlled in Iraq and the killing of its presumed caliph, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in October 2019.

However, the organization is regrouping quickly and showing its ugly face around the world.

The Islamic State now tries to control areas that are out of the control of both Syria and Iraq. It launches attacks against checkpoints and targets of the Syrian and Iraqi armies. It also stages attacks against tribal chieftains in these areas.

The Islamic State is using the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic in expanding its attacks against the Iraqi and Syrian armies.

The pandemic has caused the two countries to reduce the number of troops in checkpoints and posts in different places, something used by the Islamic State in advancing its own agenda.

There has been a surge in Islamic State attacks in Kirkuk, Diyala and Saladin as the terrorist organization stages attacks on almost a daily basis.

In Syria, there is an increase in attacks in the Syrian Desert and the northeastern parts of Syria. The Islamic State is staging attacks in other areas as well.

The Islamic State is also launching a war of attrition against its rivals. In the past 15 months, the terrorist organization launched more than 2,000 attacks in Syria, Iraq and Libya.

It also increased its attacks in Mali, Somalia and Afghanistan with the aim of proving that it is still present.

The Islamic State also attacks prisons where its members are held in all these countries.