Assad's regime is conducive to the return of the Islamic State. According to the BBC, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazlum Abdi, warns of increased IS activity and the threat of prisoners being freed.

Assad's regime sets the stage for the potential return of the Islamic State. According to the BBC, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, warns of increased Islamic State activity and the threat of prison breakouts.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States has more than doubled the number of its forces in Syria to fight the Islamic State group — a dramatic increase that the Pentagon revealed Thursday, acknowledging that the added troops have been there for months or even more than a year.

A Pentagon spokesman said the increase was unrelated to the fall of President Bashar al-Assad to rebel forces in early December.

In a surprise announcement, the Pentagon disclosed on Thursday that U.S. officials have doubled the number of American troops in Syria to support the fight against ISIS.