The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has released its report for September, documenting 55 deaths, a deteriorating security situation, a collapsing economy and 22 operations by ISIS cells in the region under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the armed forces attached to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).
Of the 55 people who died, 36 were civilians. Of these, 25 were killed in feuds, domestic and other murders. Four children were killed by a landmine, another by Iranian-backed local gunmen and a fifth in unknown circumstances. One woman was killed in crossfire and another by the Islamic State (ISIS). One man was killed by Turkish gendarme gunfire and two by unexploded armaments.
Eleven combatants were killed: Seven by ISIS, two by local gunmen and two in clashes with Turkish-backed factions.
Seven members of ISIS were killed by the International Coalition and the SDF, and one other gunman was killed by the SDF.
Turkey continues to subject the region to bombardment and drone attacks, in which at least six people were injured in four attacks in al-Hasakah (Hesekê) and Manbij (Minbic).
ISIS cells continue to be active in the region, and carried out 22 armed attacks and assassinations using guns, knives, improvised explosive devices and landmines, causing seven deaths as noted above, in Deir ez-Zor (Dêrazor), al-Raqqa (Reqa) and al-Hasakah (Hesekê).
Seven ISIS members were killed and 16 arrested in joint security operations of the International Coalition and the SDF.
The SOHR suggests that the large number of deaths from tribal and family infighting are at least partly down to the increasing security chaos, the proliferation of arms among civilians and the consequent inability of the security forces to maintain control.
There were also a number of clashes between the SDF and local gunmen, primarily Iranian-backed groups in and around Deir ez-Zor (Dêrazor).
The report also notes growing discontent across the region due to inflated food and energy prices and low salaries for public sector workers. There were various strikes across the region, particularly in Manbij, as the people called on the AANES to intervene by raising salaries and placing a cap on fuel prices, among other measures.
The SOHR called on the AANES to meet the demands of the people, and on the International Coalition and the SDF to intensify their security campaigns against all ISIS cells, to prevent the revival of the terrorist militant organisation, which poses a threat to local, regional and international security.
