Islamic State resurgence spreads across Syria and Iraq

The Islamic State is staging a resurgence in parts of Syria and Iraq, with fighters regrouping in cities and testing weakened defenses. New reports and military assessments point to rising ISIS activity amid a shrinking U.S. presence.

Attacks by the Islamic State declined overall after the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, but observers warn that ISIS may now be seeking to reactivate some cells after a series of planned attacks were thwarted by security officials.

ISIS fighters have also moved weapons and personnel from desert hideouts into urban areas like Deir al-Zor, Hasakah and Kirkuk, where they’ve launched attacks on power lines, oil facilities and other vulnerable infrastructure.