MESOP NEWS TODAYS INDEPTH ANALYSIS – ISIS is Losing Raqqa. What’s Next?
18 Okt 2017 – The battle for Raqqa, ISIS’ de facto capital in Syria, is coming to an end, but the terrorist group still has ways of raising funds and plenty of cash on hand.The loss of Raqqa is certainly a devastating blow; ISIS has lost nearly all of its territory in Iraq and only holds a shrinking chunk of Deir al Zour in eastern Syria. A mixed impact on financing: Losing territory means the group has less income, but its operating expenses are also lower.
In many ways, while the operation to retake Raqqa is a critical benchmark, the loss of its territory in Iraq and Syria will free ISIS resources up for more traditional terrorist operations abroad.For a closer look at ISIS funding routes — and how they’re likely to change post-Raqqa — read more analysis from TCB’s Fritz Lodge.