A/HRC/30/48 justice mechanisms in place, the group has consolidated its influence over communities, imposing its extremist ideology. 15. Relations between Jabhat Al-Nusra and ISIS have been characterized mainly by distrust and conflict. They have clashed predominantly over control of resources, despite rare instances of collaboration in isolated fronts such as Al-Yarmouk camp in Damascus city, and the western Qalamoun area in Rif Damascus. 16. ISIS has consolidated its influence over large parts of northern and eastern governorates while dramatically escalating its attacks targeting Government forces’ positions and towns in Homs and Hasakah governorates. The terrorist group has also expanded into new areas in the centre and the south as far as Dara’a and Suweida governorates by absorbing new loyalties among local militant groups operating far beyond its strongholds. 17. Following significant losses in Raqqah at the hands of the Kurdish armed group, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), ISIS adopted a new modus operandi incorporating extensive use of suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and hit-and-run tactics. The international coalition against ISIS has recently expanded, strengthening its capacity to fight ISIS. Its airstrikes, however, have degraded the group’s operational performance only when conducted alongside YPG ground operations. 18. The YPG – supported by local armed groups and the international coalition airstrikes – have advanced in north-eastern Syrian governorates. After clearing the canton of Ayn Al-Arab/Kobane5 (Aleppo), they seized the border crossing of Tal Abyad (Raqqah) in a significant victory against ISIS, connecting Kobane and Al-Jazire into a contiguous zone. 19. Providing most of the fighting forces, the YPG has fought on different fronts alongside a variety of armed groups including Arab tribes, Assyrian militia, and FSAaffiliated factions. Geographically, YPG forces have advanced recently into Arabdominated areas beyond Kurdish territories, stirring resentment among some local communities. 20. In an effort to bring warring parties to the negotiating table, United Nations Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura submitted a new proposal to the Security Council on 29 July, aimed at reaching a Syrian-owned framework document on the implementation of the 2012 Geneva Communiqué. After extensive consultation with belligerents and influential States, the Special Envoy proposed the formation of four subject-specific working groups which would address the following themes: “safety and protection for all”; “political and constitutional issues”; “military and security issues”; and “public institutions, reconstruction and development”. 21. The uninterrupted flow of refugees into neighbouring countries continues to destabilize the region and severely affect the livelihoods, public services and availability of basic commodities in the hosting communities. These economic and social challenges, compounded by security concerns, have prompted neighbouring countries to adopt border management measures which, in the words of High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres, “limit refugees’ chances of reaching safety”. 22. The protection space for Syrians trying to escape the conflict is steadily shrinking. Serious funding shortfalls endanger the lives of the most vulnerable segments of Syria’s displaced population. 5 Hereinafter referred to as “Kobane”. 5