Islamic State Reactivates Fighters, Eyes Comeback in Syria, Iraq

Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, Middle East leaders and Western allies have raised alarms about the Islamic State (IS) attempting to stage a resurgence in Syria and Iraq. IS has been reactivating fighters, distributing weapons, recruiting, and identifying new targets, though their efforts have so far been limited with security forces foiling at least a dozen major plots this year. In December 2024, as rebels advanced on Damascus, IS commanders near Raqqa sent envoys to Iraq to order attacks; these envoys were captured, and intelligence gained helped prevent a suicide bombing in Daquq. Iraqi officials note IS is emboldened by the chaos in Syria but emphasize that the frequency of attacks has declined since Assad's fall, with IS claiming fewer attacks in 2025 compared to previous years. US and Iraqi officials credit pre-emptive raids, airstrikes, and improved drone intelligence for preventing IS from regaining territory, and they do not believe IS will regain its former power, though they caution the group remains dangerous and skillful at exploiting vulnerabilities. During a May 2025 meeting, President Donald Trump urged Syria's new leadership to help deter IS to facilitate US troop withdrawals from the region.