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Syrian Chaos Breathing Life into Islamic State

Jeff Seldin

   Turkey's incursion into northeastern Syria appears to be giving Islamic
   State new life, but U.S. counterterrorism officials caution the terror
   group's next moves are far from certain.

   The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, warn Islamic
   State is well-versed in using regional conflicts to its advantage,
   having done so in Iraq in 2005-2006, and again in the aftermath of the
   Arab Spring.

   And they note that IS has used the seven months since the fall in March
   of its last territorial stronghold in Baghuz, Syria, to lay a
   foundation of "dispersed networks" -- comprising an estimated 10,000 to
   15,000 fighters -- for a prolonged and vicious insurgency.

   "It is not clear at this time how ISIS may adjust their strategy in
   Syria in light of the Turkish incursion," a U.S. counterterrorism
   official told VOA, using an acronym for the terror group.

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