ISIS, Syrian Kurds Launch Attacks Against One Another

For the latest time in recent weeks, US-backed Kurdish forces have launched what they are calling a “final” push into ISIS held territory. Once again hopeful about finalizing the fight, timetables are getting more serious with President Trump saying he expected to announce final victory within a week.

These repeated reports of imminent victory are in keeping with ISIS controlling no more than a handful of villages at any given time, but even when they lose one, they tend to take another in a counter-offensive in short order.

ISIS is in the process of just such a counter-offensive right now, looking to once again contest control of the area in the immediate vicinity of a nearby oil field. Though so far the Kurds have presented the field from falling, ISIS seems very interested in showing that they remain a force, even if it is just in a small portion of Syria.

The territory being contested amounts to three towns and half a dozen adjoining villages. The Kurdish forces have been attacking this area for several months. All towns and villages have fallen, repeatedly, but never in a permanent way.