As Islamic State withers, the alliance against it is fraying
Down the Euphrates river, halfway between Deir ez-Zor and Syria’s border with Iraq, lies Dura Europos, an ancient metropolis where the Parthians of Persia sparred with the Roman Empire for control of the Middle East. History, it seems, is repeating itself. As Islamic State (IS) withers, America’s coalition is racing to secure the same stretch […]Down the Euphrates river, halfway between Deir ez-Zor and Syria’s border with Iraq, lies Dura Europos, an ancient metropolis where the Parthians of Persia sparred with the Roman Empire for control of the Middle East. History, it seems, is repeating itself. As Islamic State (IS) withers, America’s coalition is racing to secure the same stretch of river, before Iran and its allies.
Never have America and its allies had such a hold on Syrian territory. In the north, America has worked with the Kurds to carve out a self-governing region. From there it provides support for Kurdish and Arab forces pushing down the northern bank of the river. Its Syrian proxies have fanned out in pockets around the border with Jordan, from Deraa to north of al-Tanf, a coalition base.
But like their Parthian forebears, Iran and its allies have the upper hand. The Syrian army, backed by Iran’s Quds Force, and Shia and tribal militias are pressing on Deir ez-Zor, with the help of Russian air cover. In the north, they have reached the southern bank of the Euphrates. Soldiers coming from Palmyra have crossed over 100 miles of desert. In the south, they have reached Iraq’s border.
