Twitter, YouTube analysis monitors IS strategy

Paris

 Tweets and YouTube videos posted by Islamic State fighters have allowed analysts to track their movements in Iraq and Syria, highlighting the group's push towards government strongholds.

 The data collected by Britain-based analysts from IHS Conflict Monitor shows how the IS is probing beyond the territory it currently holds and pushing its forces towards Damascus and Baghdad.

 IHS ranks the reliable Twitter and YouTube accounts from known IS militants, as well as opposition activists and government sources, using the geo-location data from around 4,000 entries a month to map attacks ranging from assassinations to large-scale bomb blasts.

 "The Islamic State is shifting its attention to the Syrian government at the expense of losing territory to the Kurds in northern Syria," said Firas Abi-Ali, head of Middle East analysis for IHS.

 The IHS data from March to May showed IS tactically decided not to launch offensives against Kurdish forces on the northern front, which could leave its forces prone to air strikes.

 "Neither the Kurds nor the Islamic State appear interested in changing that front line," said Richard Jackson, deputy head of political violence forecasting at IHS.

 "That frees up IS fighters to push towards the capitals."

 The exception has been a key border crossing into Turkey, Tal Abyad, which the Kurds recaptured from IS this week.

 Tal Abyad was the main entry point for IS to bring in foreign fighters, weapons and supplies -- forcing the group to throw men and resources at trying to defend it.

 But Jackson said that would be an exception, with IS forces continuing to press towards Syrian and Iraqi government strongholds.