The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced that forces affiliated with the Damascus government and the pro-regime militia group Difa Watanî attacked the villages of al-Dahalah (El Dehla) and Jadeed Bakara (Cedide Begara) in Deir ez-Zor (Dêrazor) with rockets and mortal shells last night. It was reported that 11 people, including six children, were killed in the attack.
The renewed attacks in the night of 9 August targeted civilians with increased intensity. At 02:30am on Friday, the regime forces began shelling the two villages with rockets from their bases in the village of Albu Lail on the western side of the Euphrates River, The rockets and shells entirely targeted civilian homes.
Syrian government forces and pro-regime militia group Difa Watanî had launched an offensive on the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor (Dêrazor), on 7 August, leading to fierce clashes with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), local sources reported. Two civilians were killed and at least five others injured, the SDF Press Centre said.
The regime forces had been pushed back into Damascus-controlled territory after four hours of fighting, the SDF regional command reported. During this fighting, eight members of the regime forces were killed and 16 wounded.
Deir ez-Zor (Dêrazor) has been characterized by unstable conditions, with the SDF regularly carrying out security reinforcement operations in the region, targeting ISIS militants and drug traffickers trying to cause unrest in the region.
While the conflict has often been portrayed as an ethnic clash between Kurds and Arabs, allegations have surfaced suggesting that Turkey, the Syrian government, and Iran may have played a role in exacerbating sectarian tensions in SDF-controlled areas to advance their respective strategic interests.
