By Al-Fassel | 2026-02-18

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has suffered a reduction in its ranks over the past decade, reflecting pressure from international military operations.

The organization's manpower losses have weakened its ability to coordinate attacks or maintain territorial influence.

Membership losses underscore organizational decline

ISIS once controlled large areas of Iraq and Syria, but its territorial collapse significantly reduced its recruitment pipelines and operational capacity.

Coalition campaigns targeting senior leaders, training camps and financial networks further eroded the group's ability to replace experienced fighters.

Intelligence assessments indicate that ISIS has struggled to maintain cohesion as internal divisions and leadership disputes intensified after major battlefield defeats.

Former members have described a fractured organization marked by distrust, limited resources and declining morale among remaining fighters.

The group's inability to hold territory has also undermined its appeal to potential recruits who once viewed ISIS as a rising force.

Counterterrorism officials say the loss of safe havens has forced surviving members into smaller, less coordinated cells operating across remote areas.

Coalition pressure drives long-term weakening

Coalition forces have conducted thousands of operations since 2014, steadily degrading ISIS capabilities through targeted strikes and partner-led ground campaigns.

These efforts disrupted command structures and limited the group's ability to plan complex attacks or rebuild its networks.

Local security forces in Iraq and Syria have also expanded their counterterrorism operations, capturing militants and dismantling logistical routes that once supported ISIS movements.

Officials say these sustained actions have prevented the group from reconstituting its former strength.

Experts note that ISIS remains capable of sporadic attacks, but its reduced manpower limits the scale and frequency of its operations.

The group now relies heavily on small ambushes and improvised explosive devices rather than coordinated assaults involving large numbers of fighters.

The decline in membership reflects a broader trend showing the organization's diminishing influence across the region.

Counterterrorism analysts argue that continued pressure from coalition partners will further restrict ISIS's ability to recruit, train and operate effectively.

Although the group maintains a presence in several countries, its weakened state demonstrates the long-term impact of international efforts to contain and degrade its capabilities.

The past decade has shown that sustained military, intelligence and local security cooperation can significantly reduce ISIS's operational strength.