Not very long ago, Islamic State was struck a huge blow when second in command Abu Muhammed al-Adnani was killed near Allepo. In recent weeks, Allied forces have been driving the radical group back from many cities and regions in Syria, especially near the Turkish border, and the US seems to be smelling blood. Turkey is another country that is hell-bent on getting IS out of Syria, but more so because they have an anti-Assad agenda.
Whatever be the case, there is some hope that the end may be near. Turkey has just announced that they will aid the US in their endeavour to strike IS where it will really hurt, at their stronghold of Raqqa. This is a city that was one of the first taken by IS back in 2014 and serves as their nerve centre. If forces can get this done, it might see the beginning of the end of the war against IS.
But all hopes rest on the US and Turkey seeing eye to eye in this regard. They want the same thing but have differing agendas, which has seen plans scuppered when talks have failed. Perhaps this time around it may not happen, but only time will tell.
