The Islamic State (IS) group has launched more than 100 attacks in north-eastern Syria over the last month alone and is terrorising many towns and villages at night. The violence is concentrated in the largely desert province of Deir al-Zour.

“This decision has nothing to do with our view of the Houthis and their reprehensible conduct, including attacks against civilians and the kidnapping of American citizens,” a State Department spokesperson regarding notification of Congress about delisting of Houthis.

Residents in northern and western Iraq say ISIS extremists and the Iran-backed paramilitaries stand to gain most from Washington’s troop reduction.