US-led airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq – interactive

How effective have airstrikes been in Syria?

Raqqa Deir ez-Zor Kobani Hasakah 

Key targets in the last six months

An analysis of Isis-held territory within 25 miles of four cities shows the group largely lost territory where airstrikes supported Kurdish-Arab militias in the second half of 2015, with little change where airstrikes were not supporting ground forces.

• Hasakah

  The coalition carried out 368 strikes, which were heavily concentrated during a large-scale Isis assault in July and August. Kurdish advances later in the year also received air support.
  Coalition airstrikesControl of territory

                                                                                                                                                                                          JulAugSeptOctNovDec

   

  • Isis
  • Syrian regime
  • Kurdish forces

• Kobani

  There were 90 coalition raids around this city near the Turkish border. Airstrikes in July and August supported offensives by Kurdish militias who had resisted an Isis siege in January 2015.
                                                                                                                                                                                          JulAugSeptOctNovDec

   

  • Isis
  • Kurdish forces

• Deir ez-Zor

  The coalition struck 105 targets near this city on the Euphrates. These raids often hit oil fields which provide Isis with income. The Syrian regime has the only anti-Isis presence on the ground.
                                                                                                                                                                                          JulAugSeptOctNovDec

   

  • Isis
  • Syrian regime

• Raqqa

  There were 129 airstrikes around the Isis stronghold. France launched raids in November after the Paris attacks. Isis retained control but Kurdish forces made strategic gains further north.
                                                                                                                                                                                          JulAugSeptOctNovDec

   

  • Isis

Airstrikes from US Department of Defense, territory control from The Carter Centre using Palantir Technologies based on a 25 mile radius around each city

Since the campaign began

Isis has lost a swath of land between Kobani and Hasakah but its territory is otherwise largely unchanged since coalition airstrikes began in September 2014.

• Unchecked momentum

  • 2014Jun      Dec
   
  • 2015           

  Isis captured territory around Homs, Aleppo, Kobani, Hasakah and in the Euphrates valley during its ascendancy. The start of coalition airstrikes in September 2014 had little initial effect.
  Airstrikes  Coalition

   Homs Aleppo Hasakah Raqqa Kobani

   

  Isis control  Held  Lost  Gained

   Homs Aleppo Hasakah Raqqa Kobani

• Halted at Kobani

  • 2014      
   
  • 2015Jan           

  Kurdish forces combined effectively with airstrikes for the first time to defend the border town from an Isis assault. The jihadis remained entrenched elsewhere.
  Airstrikes  Coalition

   Homs Aleppo Hasakah Raqqa Kobani

   

  Isis control  Held  Lost  Gained

   Homs Aleppo Hasakah Raqqa Kobani

• Kurdish forces advance

  • 2014      
   
  • 2015 Feb    Jun      

  Isis suffered reverses as Kurdish militias advanced east from Kobani and mounted offensives west and east of Hasakah. Despite this Isis made gains around Homs and captured Palmyra.
  Airstrikes  Coalition

   Hasakah Aleppo Raqqa Palmyra Kobani Homs

   

  Isis control  Held  Lost  Gained

   Hasakah Aleppo Raqqa Palmyra Kobani Homs

• Mixed results from two air wars

  • 2014      
   
  • 2015      Jul     Dec

  In Hasakah, Kurdish forces repelled an Isis counter-offensive in July and made further gains later in the year. The start of Russian airstrikes in September saw Isis take land from rebels in Aleppo.
  Airstrikes  Coalition  Russian

   Aleppo Raqqa Hasakah Homs

   

  Isis control  Held  Lost  Gained

   Aleppo Raqqa Hasakah Homs
•