A year in review of airstrikes against the Islamic State

(Baonghean.vn) - A year has passed since the US-led anti-IS coalition launched its first airstrikes against IS in Iraq and Syria. And the question that many people are interested in right now is "Are the airstrikes of the anti-IS coalition really effective?".

IS flags hang on a street in Saadia, Iraq. Photo: Reuters

Over the past 12 months, coalition airstrikes have taken out about 10,000 IS jihadists. However, US intelligence agencies estimate that there are still between 20,000 and 30,000 jihadists in Syria and Iraq. This result has really surprised many people before the amazing recovery of IS. The reason for this phenomenon is explained by the fact that IS continues to recruit jihadists on social networks. According to preliminary statistics, recruitment of fighters for IS has been and is taking place in 80 countries around the world. Therefore, the "supply" for IS continues to increase.

In Iraq, coalition airstrikes have caused IS to lose Tikrit, but they have regained control of Ramadi and still control Faloudja, Mosul and several oil refineries in Baiji. In Syria, IS continues to hold out and attack the capital Damascus. The recapture of Tall Ai-Abyad does not threaten Raqqa - the so-called "capital" of IS in southern Syria. In addition to holding out in the areas they control, IS has also carried out a series of bloody bombings in areas controlled by the Iraqi and Syrian governments.

Although Türkiye’s involvement in airstrikes and its tougher crackdown on jihadists passing through the country will make IS more vulnerable, analysts are not optimistic. Especially since IS still has the ability to “harm” Turkey, with up to 3,000 supporters and supporters on its soil.

Overall, the coalition's fight against IS remains stagnant, if not to say that the airstrikes of the international coalition against IS cannot repel the jihadists in Syria as well as in Iraq.

Chu Thanh

(according to Le Figaro)