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Source: Getty

In The Media
Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

IS Militants Advancing Towards Iraqi Capital

With more than half of Syria under the control of the self-proclaimed Islamic State, there are concerns the militants are edging towards Baghdad.

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By Mario Abou Zeid
Published on May 22, 2015
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The Middle East Program in Washington combines in-depth regional knowledge with incisive comparative analysis to provide deeply informed recommendations. With expertise in the Gulf, North Africa, Iran, and Israel/Palestine, we examine crosscutting themes of political, economic, and social change in both English and Arabic.

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Source: Australia Broadcasting Corporation

Auskar Surbakti, Host: There are reports that Islamic State militants are now advancing east towards the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. In Syria, IS fighters are believed to have made another important advance, seizing the last government-controlled border-crossing with Iraq. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says government forces withdrew from the al-Tanf crossing in Homs, as IS fighters advanced. The loss of al-Tanf to the Islamic State follows the group’s takeover of the ancient city of Palmyra.

The United States says fighting the militants will be a challenge, with claims that IS now controls half of the whole country of Syria. 

Maro Abou Zeid is a research analyst at the Carnegie Middle East Center, who has been keeping a close eye of developments in the region. He joins me now from Beirut, in Lebanon. Thanks for your time tonight. 

This interview was originally broadcast by the Australia Broadcasting Corporation.

About the Author

Mario Abou Zeid

Former Research Analyst, Middle East Center

Abou Zeid was a research analyst at the Carnegie Middle East Center, where his work focuses on political developments in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Iran.

    Recent Work

  • In The Media
    Lebanese Presidential Elections

      Mario Abou Zeid

  • Article
    The Emerging Jihadist Threat in Lebanon

      Mario Abou Zeid

Mario Abou Zeid
Former Research Analyst, Middle East Center
Mario Abou Zeid
SecurityGulfLevantSyriaIraqMiddle East

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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