The Islamic State clashed with regime forces in Aleppo, and in Raqqah, where the IS detonated two suicide car bombs and killed and crucified two men. The IS also battled Kurdish YPG forces in Hasakah, and killed and crucified two men in Deir Izzour. One of two men crucified by IS yesterday in Deir Izzour was a former Al Nusrah Front judge. Among the 6,300 fighters said to have joined the IS in Syria in July, 5,000 are Syrians and the 1,300 others are Arab, European, Caucasian, East Asian and Kurdish. All but 200 of those 1,300 foreign fighters entered Syria via Turkey. Many of the recent IS recruits formerly fought for the Al Nusrah Front and the Islamic Front. Al Nusrah, the Islamic Front, and Ansar al Din fought against regime forces in Aleppo. The Islamic Front also clashed with regime forces in Hama and in Deraa. The US disclosed today that it had earlier launched a mission in Syria to rescue American hostages held by the ISIS, including recently slain James Foley, but that it had been unsuccessful. ISIS had reportedly demanded a $100 million ransom for Foley.
