The Islamic State terror group has launched an unusual series of attacks in Syria during the last week, part of what it calls a “new phase of operations” against the new Syrian government. The U.S. is actively withdrawing from bases in the area, including from its largest military base in the northeast, according to reports. Fighting between Syrian government forces and U.S.-allied Kurdish forces has weakened the resistance faced by IS. In January, the Syrian government seized the city of Raqqa from the Kurdish SDF militia.