A new alliance of rebel groups has started to retreat from the border town after suffering heavy casualties. Anti-IS forces have stepped up operations to uproot the militant group in Iraq and Syria.
Image: picture-alliance/AA/H. Nasir
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US-backed Syrian rebels advanced on the eastern Syrian border town of al-Bukamal, which is held by the self-declared "Islamic State" (IS) militant group.
The New Syrian Army (NSA), an alliance of rebel groups battling IS in Syria, launched the offensive on Tuesday under the cover of airstrikes conducted by the US-led anti-IS coalition.
By Wednesday morning, NSA fighters gained control of a small military base near al-Bukamal after wrestling it from IS militants.
The group was supported by extensive air support from the US-led coalition. Airborne fighters had been dropped on the southern edge of the border town during the offensive, said NSA spokesman Mozahem al-Saloum.
However, the militant group pushed back the rebels, with al-Saloum saying the NSA were unable to keep the base and other outposts.
The operation aimed to sever the militant group's cross-border supply line through the al-Bukamal crossing, which links areas of eastern Syria and Iraq's Anbar province, which is under IS control.
In 2014, the militant group shocked the world when it took control of large swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq, including the latter's third-largest city, Mosul.
Iraqi Lt. Gen. Abdul-Wahad al-Saadi on Sunday announced that the country's troop cleared out the last pocket of IS resistance in the strategic city of Fallujah, saying it had been "fully liberated."
What is 'IS'?
Ravaging Syria and Iraq, the terrorist organization "Islamic State" frequently makes it into the news due to its brutality. But who are they? And how strong are they? We've compiled answers to the most important FAQs.
What is 'Islamic State'?
A breakaway from terrorist organization al Qaeda, "Islamic State" is a Sunni militant group that is believed to have formed in response to disillusionment and frustration due to the failed rule of governments in Syria and Iraq. Its flag reads "Muhammad is the prophet of God" and "There is no god apart from Allah" - lines that are valid for all Muslims, not just "IS."
Image: AP
Where is the 'Islamic State' active?
The "Islamic State" aims to create a "caliphate" - a state where the traditional values of Islam and Sharia law must be adhered to. Due to the instability of regions in Syria and Iraq, the "Islamic State" has been able to capture land in the two countries.
What makes the 'Islamic State' different?
A key difference is the brutality "Islamic State" has used to strike fear into its enemies and innocents by cruel beheadings and ruthless violence. In contrast to this, it is said to govern the regions it takes over. As Middle East expert Shadi Hamid told PBS: "They provide social services. They run local government. They provide some modicum of law and order."
Image: gebphotography - Fotolia.com
How does 'Islamic State' relate to other terrorist groups?
Though "IS" is active in Syria and Iraq, the Nigerian terrorist organization Boko Haram recently declared its support. It's like a competition in cruelty: while Boko Haram is responsible for 13,000 deaths, "IS" has injured or killed at least 24,000 people. Terrorist group al Qaeda has distanced itself from "IS" with its offshoot Nusra Front even fighting against "IS".
Image: Getty Images/A. Katib
What about its followers?
Something else that distinguishes the "IS" is its followers. More than 20,000 foreign fighters have joined the group, with more than 4,000 come from Western Europe and North America, according to an ICSR report. Here are the countries where most people have gone to fight. But, there are more fighters per capita heading to fight from some smaller countries like Sweden and Belgium.
What are Western governments doing to stop 'Islamic State'?
Since August 2014, a US-led coalition has carried out airstrikes on "Islamic State" targets in Syria (1,422 strikes) and Iraq (2,242 strikes), according to a BBC report. Some governments have also been active within their own countries: Germany is set to prosecute at least 30 suspected militants returning from Syria, while Saudi Arabia, for example, arrested 93 suspected militants in April 2015.
