The Islamic State (ISIS) targeted Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) military checkpoints in several towns in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor (Dêrezor), eastern Syria, in a series of coordinated attacks early on Thursday.
Using rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns, gunmen attacked the headquarters of the SDF’s Hawaij Regiment east of Deir ez-Zor. The attackers withdrew following fierce clashes.
In a separate incident, gunmen attacked an SDF post in the Hawi al-Hissan area in the northern part of the city. The attackers were successfully repelled by SDF forces.
In another attack, two SDF checkpoints in the town of Diban in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor were targeted.
ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks and said they killed several SDF fighters. However, SDF military sources contradicted these claims, confirming to the local North Press Agency that no one was killed or injured and that the attacks only caused material damage.
These attacks follow a recent trend of unidentified gunmen, believed to be affiliated with both the Syrian government and ISIS, targeting SDF checkpoints and personnel in the Deir ez-Zor countryside.
