What does IS want its fighters in Syria to prioritise?

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IS Urges Fighters to Prioritise Confronting Syria's New Secular Regime

The Islamic State (IS) group has directed its fighters in Syria to make confronting the country's new secular government and national army their top priority. This directive was issued by IS spokesperson Abu Huzaifa al-Ansari in his first audio message in two years, which was disseminated online. The message marks a shift in focus for the group, moving away from previous calls to action that targeted different adversaries.
New Directives from IS Spokesperson

In the recent audio recording, Abu Huzaifa al-Ansari explicitly instructed IS members operating within Syria. He stated that their primary objective should be to engage with and challenge the "new Syrian regime, with its secular government and national army." This marks the first public address from al-Ansari in a significant period, indicating a potential recalibration of IS operational priorities.
Previous Messaging and Context

The last known audio message from al-Ansari, which was released in January 2024, contained a different directive. At that time, he had urged supporters of the Islamic State to carry out attacks against Jewish people globally. This previous call was framed as retaliation for Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip. The current message, therefore, represents a notable divergence in the group's publicly communicated strategic focus.
Syria's Evolving Political Landscape

Syria's political situation has undergone substantial changes. Since the ousting of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, the new authorities have been working to distance themselves from their previous radical affiliations, which reportedly included links to the Al-Qaeda jihadist group. These new leaders have been actively attempting to project a more moderate image to the international community and their own populace.
International Coalition and IS Containment

The evolving landscape in Syria has also seen shifts in international alliances and efforts against IS. Last year, Syria joined the United States-led coalition that is actively engaged in combating the remnants of the Islamic State within the country. This collaboration has involved coordinated attacks aimed at degrading IS capabilities and presence. Historically, IS had established control over vast territories in Syria and Iraq in 2014, before being largely defeated by a combination of international and local forces by 2019.

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What does IS want its fighters in Syria to prioritise?

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