Eastern Syria insurgency

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eastern Syria insurgency
Part of the Rojava conflict and the Syrian civil war

Map of areas held by the SDF (in green)
Date11 October 2017[9] – present
(6 years, 5 months, 2 weeks and 3 days)
Location
Portions of eastern Syria
Status Ongoing
Belligerents

Islamic State


Syrian government loyalists

Supported by:
 Syria
 Iran (alleged)[1]


Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army


Anti-SDF Arab tribes (2023)[5]


Hurras al-Din (al-Qaeda loyalists)

Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria[a]

CJTF–OIR

Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK, claimed by Turkey, ISIL and the Popular Resistance)
Commanders and leaders
Thabit Sobhi Fahd Al-Ahmad [10][11]
(ISIL oil minister)
Mohammed Remedan Eyd al-Talah (POW)[12]
(ISIL chief financial officer)
Mazloum Abdi
(SDF commander-in-chief)
Eric T. Hill[12]
(SOJTF commander)
Units involved

Military of ISIL


Iran IRGC (alleged)[14]

Syrian Democratic Forces

CJTF–OIR

  • Special Operations Joint Task Force (SOJTF)[12]
Strength
Unknown, probably thousands[15] 60,000–75,000 (2017 estimate)[16]
United States c. 2,000 (2018 estimate)[17]
Casualties and losses
ISIL: 204+ killed, 107 captured, 161 wounded (2018)[18] SDF: 542 killed (vs IS; Aug. 2018 - Nov. 2021)[19]
5 killed (vs TAF; 2018)[18]
Coalition: 6 killed[20][19]
300 civilians killed (Aug. 2018 - Nov. 2021)[19]

The Eastern Syria insurgency is an armed insurgency being waged by remnants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and both pro and anti-Syrian government Arab nationalist insurgents, against the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), its military (the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)), and their allies in the US-led Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF–OIR) coalition.

Background[edit]

The insurgency began after a series of campaigns in 2016 and 2017 which took territory from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, led by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the CJTF-OIR. This eventually resulted in the taking of the Islamic State capital of Raqqa, and other areas in the Aleppo, Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor Governorates. These are Arab-majority areas, often with large Turkmen minorities, some of whom resented the Kurdish influence in the SDF.[21]

Multiple factions, made up mostly of Arabs, have formed armed groups in support of either the Syrian opposition or Syrian government, with additional Islamic State remnants operating as clandestine cells who have emerged in areas captured by the SDF and the coalition during the 2016-2017 campaigns. These groups have also utilized guerilla tactics to target the SDF and Coalition forces, including assassinations, hit and run attacks, rocket attacks and use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Attacks have occurred in cities across Rojava, including Manbij, Raqqa and Hasakah.

Insurgent factions[edit]

  • Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant: Following the loss of most of its territory, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has launched a desert-based insurgency, while simultaneously attempting to rally elements of the civilian population to its cause. By attacking SDF-backed civil authorities, it undermines the latter's reputation and worsens existing grievances, resulting in a deteriorating security situation. It is unclear how many active ISIL fighters still operate in Syria, but they probably number several thousands.[15]
  • Government loyalists: Various pro-government groups operate in eastern Syria, including the "Popular Resistance of the Eastern Region" (founded in February 2018 in Raqqa), the "Popular Resistance in Hasakah" (founded in April 2018),[22] and the "Popular Resistance in Manbij" (founded in June 2018).[23] These groups are reportedly supported by Iran,[1] and elements of the Syrian Armed Forces such as the Baqir Brigade.[22] The SDF and AANES government have accused Iran of organizing assassinations in SDF-held areas, attempting to turn locals against the SDF and American-led Coalition presence.[14]

Timeline[edit]

2017[edit]

2018[edit]

  • 5 April – The Popular Resistance claimed to have carried out a mortar or rocket attack on a U.S. base at Ayn Issa.[17][1]
  • 6 April – The Baqir Brigade vowed to aid the pro-government insurgency in territories held by U.S.-allied forces.[17][1]
  • 17 May – U.S. special forces arrested ISIL commanders following an air drop near the Iraqi border in al-Hasakah Governorate.[25]
  • 17 August - A Base housing US and French Special Forces near Deir ez-Zor was attacked by ISIL members. The attack was repelled and at least seven jihadist were killed [26][27]
  • 2 September – 5 SDF militiamen were killed and wounded by an IED planted in Raqqa.[28]
  • 31 October – The Turkish military and SDF began clashes with stated future goals of a Turkish-led operation in Manbij. The fighting lasted one week, with the United States responding by establishing observation posts in Manbij to prevent further violence.[29]
  • 2 November – ISIL gunmen assassinated the prominent tribal leader Sheikh Basheer Faisal al-Huwaidi in broad daylight in the city of Raqqa.[30]
  • 4 November – A car bomb exploded in the city of Raqqa, killing at least one person and injuring ten more people, which included members of the SDF. ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack through its Amaq News Agency.[31][32][33]
  • 4 December – YPG claimed to have arrested four members of Harakat al-Qiyam, allegedly collaborating with Turkish intelligence.[34]
U.S. M-ATVs patrolling the Manbij countryside, 14 July 2018

2019[edit]

January–March[edit]

  • January – the founder of the Arab Ahwaz Brigade, an Arab Free Syrian Army group from Deir ez-Zor, was killed by an IED planted by ISIL in Deir ez-Zor. He reportedly joined the Syrian Democratic Forces and became involved with its Deir ez-Zor Military Council serving as a leader in the council.[35]
  • 16 January – the Manbij bombing killed 15 Manbij Military Council (MMC) fighters and four US soldiers. ISIL claimed the attack through its news agency Amaq.[36][37]
  • 21 January – an ISIL suicide SVBIED targeted a US convoy accompanied by SDF troops on the Shadadi-Hasakah road in the Jazira Region, killing five SDF personnel. Witnesses say the SVBIED rammed into an SDF vehicle by a checkpoint held by Kurdish forces a dozen kilometers outside Shadadi as the US convoy drove past.[38]
  • 7 February – the SDF media center announced the capture of 63 ISIL operatives in Raqqa, part of a sleeper cell. They were all arrested within a 24-hour period, ending the day-long curfew that had been imposed on the city the day before.[39]
  • 9 February – ISIL militants attacked SDF fighters near the al-Omar oilfield, triggering airstrikes by the U.S.-led Coalition. SOHR said 12 Islamic State fighters attacked the SDF and clashed with them for several hours until most of the attackers were killed. Ten attackers were reportedly killed, while two managed to flee. Other activist collectives, including the Step news agency, reported the attack, saying some of the attackers used motorcycles rigged with explosives.[40]
  • 21 February – two successive SVBIEDs detonated in the market area of Shahil, Syria - 10 kilometers from the SDF's al-Omar oilfield HQ - killing 14 people. SOHR reported a car bomb that was detonated remotely as a convoy of workers and technicians that worked at the oilfield was passing by. SOHR said 20 were killed and others wounded.[41][42][43] SVBIED attacks were also reported in Afrin and the village of Ghandura near Jarablus.[41][42]
  • 9 March – eight people were wounded when a suicide bomber blew up a car in Manbij, near a market. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.[44][45]
  • 14 March – an IED in Raqqa targeted a US military convoy. Al-Masdar reported that the pro-Syrian government Popular Resistance of Raqqa group claimed responsibility and that they had killed SDF fighters and injured U.S. soldiers, but that these claims could not be independently verified and that neither the US nor SDF confirmed the reports.[46][47]
  • 26 March – ISIL gunmen opened fire on a checkpoint in Manbij, killing seven MMC fighters.[48]

April–June[edit]

  • 3 April – An ISIL cell clashed with the SDF and the Asayish in Raqqa, with 4 ISIL fighters blowing themselves with explosive belts, according to SOHR.[49]
  • 5 April – About 200 ISIL detainees revolted and attempted to escape from Dêrik prison in al-Malikiyah. The breakout was foiled, and some of the prisoners were subsequently distributed to other detention centers.[50]
  • 10 April – ISIL cells attacked SDF fighters at a checkpoint in rural Deir Ez Zor on the outskirts of the town of al-Shuhayl, the cell reportedly used machine guns and RPGs during the attack, as part of a global campaign launched by ISIL, which the group has called "The campaign in revenge for the blessed Province of the Levant" after losing territorial control in Syria after the Battle of Baghuz Fawqani, which has prompted the group to carry out a series of attacks around the world where the group has a presence, as well as encouraging supporters to carry out lone wolf attacks in their countries, other attacks related to the group's call for vengeance have occurred in Libya and Iraq.[51][52][53][54]
  • 12 April – ISIL claimed responsibility for an attack in Manbij against members of the SDF.[55]
  • 23 April – Major protests began in the cities of Al-Busayrah and Shuhail in the eastern part of the Deir ez-Zor Governorate in opposition to SDF and Kurdish rule.[56]
  • 7 May – A senior commander in the SDFs' Deir ez-Zor military council claimed that Iran, Turkey, and the Syrian government are collaborating to destabilize SDF controlled areas with fighters from Operation Euphrates Shield and al-Nusra remnant cells in eastern Syria. The commander also claimed there is ideological support for ISIL and al-Nusra among the local populations, particularly in the towns of Jadidat Agidat, Shehail, and Basira, which is a hub for Deir ez-Zor's tribes and has also been the site for recent protests against SDF administration.[57] The commander also claimed that the SDF had foiled 180 attempted attacks against SDF, and claimed that Turkey and the Syrian Government provide support for these attacks.[58]
  • 11 May – Unidentified gunmen attacked a YPG headquarters in the western part of the town of Shuhail, where ongoing protests against the SDF were occurring.[59]
  • 30 May – U.S. special forces arrested 15 ISIL members following an air drop in Qana village in al-Hasakah Governorate.[60]

July–September[edit]

  • 1 July – U.S. special forces arrested two ISIL commanders following an air drop in Attala village in al-Hasakah Governorate.[61]
  • 7 July – SDF forces arrested at least 30 people and confiscated their belongings in Al-Izba village in Deir ez-Zor Governorate.[62] On the same day, U.S. special forces arrested an ISIL commander after encircling his house in Al-Harijiyeh village in Deir Ezzor Governorate.[63]
  • 12 July – U.S. special forces killed an ISIL commander in the area between al-Suwar and Abu al-Nitel village.[63]
  • 14 July – According to Al-Masdar, the SDF and U.S. special forces killed ISIL's oil minister Thabit Sobhi Fahd Al-Ahmad during a raid somewhere in Deir ez-Zor Governorate.[10]
  • 25 July – SDF forces arrested 8 ISIS members within the east Euphrates area.[62]
  • 1 September – The SDF's Anti-Terror Units captured Mohammed Remedan Eyd al-Talah, ISIL's chief financial officer, during a raid in ash-Shahil, Deir ez-Zor Governorate.[12]

October–December[edit]

A U.S. patrol accompanied by M2A2 Bradley vehicles in eastern Syria, 10 November 2019
  • October – The U.S. withdrew from many of its bases in northern Syria in early October, substantially reducing its presence there and disrupting anti-ISIL operations.[64] Nevertheless, the U.S., with Kurdish, Turkish and Iraqi assistance, conducted a successful high-stakes special operations raid in Barisha, Idlib targeting ISIL Caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi; the raid resulted in Baghdadi's death and ISIL selecting a new leader/Caliph Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi.[65] By the end of October, the U.S. had adopted a subordinate mission to protect SDF-controlled oil and gas infrastructure, including oil fields, from the ISIL insurgency as the insurgent group had previously used profits from oil smuggling to fund its activities. The U.S. deployed mechanized infantry units for the first time in its intervention to "reinforce" its presence in eastern Syria and to assist its continuing anti-ISIL insurgency mission.[66]
  • 22 November – Coalition forces accompanied by allies attacked ISIL enclaves near the Iraqi border, which reportedly resulted in multiple ISIL fighters being killed and wounded.[67][68] While up to 600 ISIL fighters are thought to be defending a small pocket stronghold in Syria's eastern province of Deir ez-Zor.[69]
  • 26 November – A car bomb went off in an area under the control of Turkish and allied rebel forces west of Ras al-Ayn, killing at least 17 people and injuring 20 others. The attack happened at a local village market. The Turkish government blamed YPG and PKK for the attack.[70][71][72]

2020[edit]

January–March[edit]

  • 1 January – 16 ISIS fighters were captured during a raid in Deir ez-Zor Governorate by the Coalition forces.[73]
  • 14 January – SDF managed to kill two ISIL members, including Abu Alward Al-Iraqi, who was responsible for oil trading, in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate.[74][75]
  • 17 January – During an explosion targeting an SDF vehicle in Abu Hardub village in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, one SDF member was killed and one more injured.[76]
  • 27 January – Coalition Bradley IFVs were pulled out of Syria after less than two month of deployment due to unspecified reasons.[77]
  • 11 February – U.S. special forces arrested 3 suspected ISIL members following an air drop in ash-Shahil, Deir ez-Zor Governorate.[78]

April–June[edit]

  • 17 May – Two regional ISIS leaders, Ahmad 'Isa Ismail al-Zawi and Ahmad 'Abd Muhammad Hasan al-Jughayfi, were killed by coalition forces in Deir Ezzor Governorate.[79]
  • 22 May – U.S. special forces killed an ISIL commander and arrested another following an air drop in ash-Shahil, Deir ez-Zor Governorate.[80]
  • 26 May – The Iraqi counter-terrorism agency announced that a U.S. airstrike managed to kill Mu'taz Numan 'Abd Nayif Najm al-Jaburi, a senior leader and bomb-maker in ISIS, in Deir Ezzor Governorate.[81] The U.S. Rewards for Justice Program used to offer up to $5 million reward to information that would bring him to justice.[82]
  • 29 June – U.S. special forces arrested suspected ISIL members following an air drop in ash-Shahil, Deir ez-Zor Governorate.[83]

July–December[edit]

ISIL militants reportedly continued to routinely extort doctors, shop owners, heads of factories, landowners, and many others to pay them zakat.[84]

2021[edit]

U.S. soldiers visiting an SDF training facility during the insurgency, 22 April 2021
  • 11 January – Three people including a former Asayish member were assassinated by unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle near Al-Busayrah, Deir ez-Zor Governorate.[85]
  • 10 May – An SDF member was assassinated in al-Busaiteen, near the town of al-Suwar, meanwhile four SDF members were killed when ISIS militants opened fire on their bus in Al-Kabar, western countryside of Deir ez-Zor.[86]
  • 13 August – U.S. coalition conducted a special operation to arrest an ISIS militant in Mahamida near Abu Khashab, Deir ez-Zor.[87]
  • 13 December - The SDF stated that counter-terrorism forces had killed five members of an ISIL cell hiding in al-Busayrah during a joint raid with the coalition. Most of the five militants wore explosive belts, the SDF stated. SOHR said four members of a family were also killed, two of which were targeted by coalition helicopter gunfire while trying to flee on a motorbike.[88]

2022[edit]

2023[edit]

  • 3 April – An American-led coalition strike kills senior ISIS member Khalid Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri.[90]
  • August 10 – 33 Syrian soldiers were killed and 10 were injured in an ambush carried out by Islamic State militants west of the city of Mayadeen.
  • August 28 - Fighting erupts between the SDF and tribal fighters after several members of the latter were arrested on charges of criminal activity, including drug trafficking. Those arrested included Abu Khawla, Deir ez-Zor Military Council commander. Over the next two days, at least 30 people are killed in clashes at Hrejieh and Breeha.[5]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Known as Democratic Federation of Northern Syria until September 2018, and as Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria afterwards.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Smyth, Phillip (12 April 2018). "Iran Is Outpacing Assad for Control of Syria's Shia Militias". Washington Institute. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  2. ^ "Torture-Killings in Manbij Inflame Tensions Between SDF and Local Tribes". Syrianobserver.com. 18 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Syrian Arab tribes call on Turkish forces to intervene against Kurdish YPG". Ahvalnews.com.
  4. ^ "Syrian tribes vow 'popular resistance' against PKK/PYD". Aa.com.tr.
  5. ^ a b "Several killed in fighting between SDF and tribesmen in eastern Syria". aljazeera.com. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  6. ^ "France to continue military operation in Syria and Iraq in 2019, Macron says". January 17, 2019.
  7. ^ Rempfer, Kyle (May 3, 2018). "US, French troops seen conducting joint patrol in Manbij, Syria". Military Times.
  8. ^ Kerbaj, Tim Ripley and Richard (27 September 2023). "SAS among special forces fighting in Syria, MoD admits" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  9. ^ Schoenborn, Trent (May 18, 2018). "The Qiyam Phenomenon: Analysis of Syria's Harakat al-Qiyam".
  10. ^ a b "ISIS oil minister killed in eastern Syria". al-Masdar News. 14 July 2019. Archived from the original on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  11. ^ "Islamic State oil minister 'killed' in Syrian hideout". Baladi-News. 16 July 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Wladimir van Wilgenburg (2 September 2019). "US-backed forces in Syria capture top ISIS financial officer". Kurdistan24. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  13. ^ Assad Al Mohammad (November 2019). "The Islamic State's effort to co-opt Tanzim Hurras ad-Din" (PDF). Program on Extremism: The George Washington University.
  14. ^ a b Kajjo, Sirwan (23 November 2020). "Iran Strengthens Military Presence in Eastern Syria". VOA. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  15. ^ a b Thomas Joscelyn (7 August 2018). "Islamic State wages desert-based insurgency in Iraq and Syria". Long War Journal. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  16. ^ Rashid, Bedir Mulla (2018) [1st pub. 2017]. Military and Security Structures of the Autonomous Administration in Syria. Translated by Obaida Hitto. Istanbul: Omran for Strategic Studies. Archived from the original on 2018-07-01.
  17. ^ a b c Daragahi, Borzou (16 April 2018). "Iranian-Backed Militias Set Sights on U.S. Forces". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  18. ^ a b Results of battles and resistance of YPG throughout 2018 Archived 2019-03-24 at the Wayback Machine
    YPG: 2422 Turkish soldiers and mercenaries killed in 2018
  19. ^ a b c Security chaos in Deir Ezzor | Former SDF fighter and ex-ISIS member assassinated, while clashes among oil smugglers leave four injured
  20. ^ "American service member, British armed forces member killed in Syria". www.cbsnews.com. 30 March 2018.
  21. ^ Casagrande, Genevieve (7 November 2017). "ISW Blog: Post-ISIS Insurgency Looms in Northern Syria". Institute for the Study of War.
  22. ^ a b "Syrian Threats Against The U.S. Presence In Syria Continue: U.S. Troops, Bases Are In Our Sights And Will Pay A Heavy Price". MEMRI. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  23. ^ "3 weeks after a meeting of clans east of Aleppo…an unidentified group announce the formation of a "Popular Resistance" against the US, Turkish and French forces in Manbij". SOHR. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  24. ^ "FSA Qiyam Movement claims the responsibility of them targeting "Abu Adel" the newly appointed leader of MMC in Manbij by an IED". Syria.liveuamap.com.
  25. ^ "التحالف الدولي ينفذ عملية إنزال لاعتقال قيادات بداعش شرقي سوريا". elwatannews.com (in Arabic). 17 May 2018.
  26. ^ "Coalition Forces In Syria Repel ISIS Attack On Base Housing American, French Troops". August 18, 2018.
  27. ^ "Coalition Forces In Syria Repel ISIS Attack On Base Housing American, French Troops• The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". August 19, 2018.
  28. ^ "Raqqa: five SDF fighters killed and wounded in IED". En.zamanalwsl.net.
  29. ^ "US to establish observation posts on Syria-Turkey border: Mattis". Rudaw.net.
  30. ^ "Prominent Raqqa tribal leader assassinated in attack claimed by IS". Kurdistan24.net. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
  31. ^ "Islamic State says hits Syria's Raqqa with car bomb". Euronews.com. Retrieved 2018-11-04.
  32. ^ "سوريا: انفجار يهز الرقة والعشائر تدعو إلى مظاهرة غداً". Ammonnews.net (in Arabic). 2018-11-04. Retrieved 2018-11-04.
  33. ^ "مقتل شخص وإصابة 10 في هجوم بسيارة مفخخة بالرقة". Dostor.org (in Arabic). 2018-11-04. Retrieved 2018-11-04.
  34. ^ "Turkish-backed sleeper cells captured by our forces - English". Ypgrojava.org. Archived from the original on 2018-12-29. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  35. ^ "One of the most prominent military leaders in Deir Ezzor and one of the first defectors from Assad's forces, Abu Isaac Al-Ahwazy, is killed". January 16, 2019. Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  36. ^ Cohen, Zachary; Stracqualursi, Veronica; Liptak, Kevin. "4 Americans killed in Syria attack. ISIS claims responsibility". Cnn.com. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  37. ^ McDowall, Angus; Stewart, Phil (16 January 2019). "Blast claimed by Islamic State kills U.S. troops in Syria". Reuters.com. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  38. ^ "Suicide attack on Kurdish-US convoy in Syria kills 5: monitor". Arab News. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  39. ^ "Over 60 ISIS operatives captured in Raqqa city". February 8, 2019. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  40. ^ "US-backed Fighters Launch Final Push to Defeat IS in Syria". Voice of America. 9 February 2019.
  41. ^ a b "Two car bombings in Syria kill at least six - Breaking News". Jerusalem Post. 21 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
  42. ^ a b "Syria: VBIEDs kill six people in Aleppo province February 21". GardaWorld. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
  43. ^ "The Latest: Back-to-back suicide car bombs kill 14 in Syria". Fox News. 21 February 2019.
  44. ^ "ISIS claims bombing in Syria's Manbij which left at least eight casualties". Kurdistan24. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  45. ^ "Suicide bomber strikes Syria's Manbij, injures 8: MMC". Rudaw. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  46. ^ "Mysterious pro-gov't group allegedly attacks US military convoy in Raqqa (video)". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 2019-04-03. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  47. ^ "SDF troops suffer heavy casualties after convoy comes under attack in Raqqa". al-Masdar News. 3 April 2018. Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  48. ^ "Daesh militants kill 7 US-backed fighters in Syria: commanders". 26 March 2019.
  49. ^ "(Pictures) Suicide bombings shake al-Raqqah city as part of the renew of ISIS sleeper cells activity as the security operation of SDF, their intelligence, and Asayish continues • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". April 3, 2019.
  50. ^ Brenier, Georges (11 April 2019). "INFO TF1/LCI - Syrie : des cadres français de Daech impliqués dans une mutinerie". LCI. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  51. ^ "Within the "revenge war for al-Sham State," ISIS cells carry out new attacks on sites and checkpoints of SDF east of Euphrates • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". April 10, 2019.
  52. ^ "IS-Aligned Media Groups Incite Lone-Wolf Attacks Globally in Revenge for Territorial Losses | Chatter | Jihadist News | Articles". ent.siteintelgroup.com. 12 April 2019. Archived from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  53. ^ "وكالة أعماق: تصفية 6 عناصر من ميليشيا حفتر في بلدة "غدوة" قرب مدينة سبها جنوب غربي ليبيا" (in Arabic).
  54. ^ Desk, News (April 10, 2019). "ISIS launches 'Operation Vengeance for Sham' in several countries". Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  55. ^ "هالكين من المرتدين بتفجير عبوتين في منبج" (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2019-04-13. Retrieved 2019-04-13.
  56. ^ "Arabs in Syria's Deir al-Zor protest against ruling Kurdish..." Reuters. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019 – via www.Reuters.com.
  57. ^ "Three Civilians Killed by Qasad Militia at a Protest". April 26, 2019.
  58. ^ "SDF commander: Daesh launched nearly 180 attacks over a month, all were failure - ANHA | HAWARNEWS | English". hawarnews.com.
  59. ^ "Unknown gunmen target the headquarters of YPG militia in Deir Al-Zour". Call Syria. May 10, 2019. Archived from the original on May 15, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  60. ^ "اعتقال 15 داعشيا في عملية إنزال جوي للتحالف بسوريا". elwatannews.com (in Arabic). 30 May 2019.
  61. ^ "التحالف الدولي بالإشتراك مع قوات سوريا الديمقراطية ينفذ عملية إنزال جوي جنوب الحسكة ويعتقل قياديان يتبعان لخلايا تنظيم "الدولة الإسلامية"". SOHR (in Arabic). 1 July 2019.
  62. ^ a b "SDF continue their security campaign and arrest 8 ISIS members east of the Euphrates". SOHR. 25 July 2019.
  63. ^ a b "ISIS commander killed, a citizen arrested in new air drop by the International Coalition and SDF north Deir Ezzor". SOHR. 12 July 2019.
  64. ^ "Trump makes way for Turkey operation against Kurds in Syria". BBC. 7 October 2019.
  65. ^ "Islamic State confirms Baghdadi's death, names new 'Emir of the Faithful' | FDD's Long War Journal". longwarjournal.org. 2019-11-01. Archived from the original on 2019-11-01. Retrieved 2019-11-01.
  66. ^ "Not over yet: New US Syria mission after al-Baghdadi death". Associated Press.
  67. ^ "Coalition continues operations to defeat Daesh in Syria". inherentresolve.mil. 23 November 2019.
  68. ^ "U.S. Resumes Large-Scale Operations Against ISIS in Northern Syria". The New York Times. 25 November 2019.
  69. ^ "Fighting slows 'final push' against IS in eastern Syria". Stock Daily Dish. 25 November 2019.
  70. ^ "Turkish Defense Ministry says 17 killed in car bomb explosion in northeastern Syria". AP. 2019-11-26. Retrieved 2019-11-26.
  71. ^ "Car bomb kills at least 17 people in northeastern Syria, Turkish ministry says". The Globe and Mail. 2019-11-26. Retrieved 2019-11-26.
  72. ^ "Turkey says car bomb kills several in Syria region it controls". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2019-11-26.
  73. ^ @SOJTFOIR (January 2, 2020). "#DefeatDaesh UPDATE: 16 #Daesh terrorists captured during a raid in Dayr az Zawr province, #Syria, Jan. 1, 2020. The partner-led operation prevented an imminent attack against Coalition and partner forces. The investigation is ongoing" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  74. ^ "Terrorism, bad day for Isis in Iraq-Syria. The financial network has been hit". Difesa & Sicurezza. 20 January 2020.
  75. ^ "بعد مفتي الموصل.. مقتل رأس "البترول" في داعش". Al Arabiya (in Arabic). 20 January 2020.
  76. ^ "SDF member killed in yesterday's IED explosion in rural Deir Ezzor • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". January 17, 2020.
  77. ^ Trevithick, Joseph (27 January 2020). "American Bradley Armored Vehicles Were Pulled Out of Syria After Less Than Two Months". The Drive.
  78. ^ "القوات الأمريكية تنفذ عملية إنزال جوي وسط مدينة الشحيل وتعتقل 3 نازحين". jesrpress.com (in Arabic). 11 February 2020. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  79. ^ "Two ISIS 'regional' leaders killed during raid in Syria, coalition says". Fox News. 22 May 2020.
  80. ^ "مروحيات أمريكية تقتل شخص وتختطف آخر من قرية الشحيل بريف دير الزور". uepapress.com (in Arabic). 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 2 July 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  81. ^ "Coalition airstrike kills Islamic State leader in eastern Syria, Iraq says". Al-Monitor. 26 May 2020.
  82. ^ "Mu'taz Numan 'Abd Nayif Najm al-Jaburi". Rewards for Justice Program. Archived from the original on 2019-10-29. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  83. ^ "سوريا: إنزال جوي اميركي بالتزامن مع حملة مداهمات بريف دير الزور". alalamtv.net (in Arabic). 29 June 2020. Archived from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  84. ^ a b "The SDF Seeks a Path Toward Durable Stability in North East Syria". reliefweb.int/. 25 November 2020.
  85. ^ "ISIS resurgence: Former FSA commander and "Asayish" member among three people assassinated in Deir ez-Zor countryside". SOHR. 11 January 2021.
  86. ^ "ISIS resurgence: Five SDF and Self-Defense Forces die in 24 hours in Deir Ezzor countryside". SOHR. 10 May 2021.
  87. ^ @OIRSpox (August 13, 2021). "Great work by #SDF Counter-Terrorism Unit. They arrested a terrorist affiliated with Daesh in the Abu Khashab area in Deir Ezzor's northern countryside" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  88. ^ "US-Kurdish raid kills five "dangerous" ISIS fighters in eastern Syria: statement". Rudaw. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  89. ^ "ISIS Claims Attack Killed 6 SDF Fighters In Syria's Deir Ez-Zor". 11 September 2022.
  90. ^ "U.S. drone strike in Syria kills ISIS leader who was plotting attacks in Europe, U.S. military says". www.cbsnews.com. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-05.

Further reading[edit]