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Source: https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/the-islamic-state-in-southern-syria
The Islamic State in Southern Syria
(Combating Terrorism Center-West Point) Aaron Y. Zelin and Oula A. Alrifai - Much attention has been given to the Islamic State's activities in northern and eastern Syria, but there has been less focus on its slow and steady growth in the southern theater. While Damascus, in the southwest, is unlikely to fall in the near term, the continued buildup of the Islamic State's assets and presence in the surrounding area could provide a longer-term threat not only to the regime and the rebels fighting it, but also for Jordan and perhaps Israel. Currently, Islamic State is in a good position to make further advances in the southern Damascus and al-Lajat regions of southern Syria. Compared to where it was in December 2013 or December 2014, the group is far stronger and is gaining more steam. Aaron Y. Zelin is a Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Oula A. Alrifai has been involved in the Syrian protest movement and is currently a Syria analyst at Navanti Group where she focuses on humanitarian and development projects in Syria.