The twin major assaults on Islamic State in both Mosul, Iraq and Raqqa, Syria are forcing the terrorist group’s leaders to plan a retreat to their fortress in the desert region between the two countries, The Daily Caller reports.

ISIS leaders refer to the plan as the retreat into the desert and have prepared their followers for a time of difficulty.

Kyle Orton, a research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, wrote in a blog post that "this messaging has also emphasized that the coming travails will purify the flock, exposing those who are not truly committed to the cause, and open the way to a glory that is pre-ordained by God."

Orton also emphasized that despite setbacks, ISIS's message of a global conspiracy against Sunnis for which the Islamic State is the only barrier is reinforced by the coalition onslaught against them, as well as by the international community's failure to do anything about the massive destruction inflicted on Aleppo by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad.

The Independent reported that in recent months, as the coalition advances became more successful and suicide car attacks were more easily thwarted by air strikes, ISIS leaders realized that Mosul and Raqqa would not be able to hold out and encouraged their followers to attack the enemy in Europe.

The Daily Caller reported that the location of the hideout in the dessert was chosen for the organized retreat because it can serve as a convenient base to carry out continued terrorist attacks in both Syria and Iraq, even if the caliphate is diminished.

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