Islamic State's Finances Cut by 30% From Last Year, Report Finds
- U.S. airstrikes lower oil production to 21,000 barrels a day
- IHS says that hurts Islamic State's ability to run territory
Members of the Iraqi government forces battle with Islamic State (IS) group fighters east of Ramadi, after they took control of the agricultural area surrounding the eastern part of the capital of Iraq's Anbar province on Jan. 12, 2016.
Photographer: MOADH AL-DULAIMI/AFP via Getty ImagesU.S.-led air strikes and territorial gains by forces allied with Russia and Iran have cut Islamic State’s monthly revenue by almost 30 percent over the past year, according to a report by IHS Inc.
The terrorist group, which earns about half its revenue from taxation and confiscation, has lost about 22 percent of its territory in Iraq and Syria over the past 15 months, according to Englewood, Colorado-based IHS, which provides advice to businesses and governments. That will hamper the group’s ability to recruit new soldiers, pay existing supporters and sustain basic services in areas it controls.