In a series of coordinated assaults, unidentified gunmen targeted Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) posts in Deir ez-Zor’s eastern countryside on Monday, as reported by North Press. The attacks involved machine guns and a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), resulting in material damages.
The first incident occurred in the village of Zughair, northwest of Deir ez-Zor, where the attackers employed machine guns against an SDF post. This initial assault led to a direct confrontation with SDF personnel, after which the gunmen retreated without causing any casualties.
Subsequently, similar attacks unfolded in the villages of Shuhail, Shinan and al-Jarzi, all situated along the Euphrates River. The SDF responded to these assaults, which again resulted solely in material damages.
In a related incident, a checkpoint operated by the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish) in al-Hejjnah village, east of Deir ez-Zor, was struck by an RPG rocket. Mirroring the other attacks, this attack resulted in no casualties.
Deir ez-Zor has been mired by increased tensions since early September, marked by heightened infiltration attempts by the National Defence Forces (NDF), allied with the Syrian government, and Iranian-backed militias. These groups have been actively moving from areas west of the Euphrates River to the east, exacerbating the already tense security situation in the region.
The SDF, comprising Kurdish and Arab militias, has been a pivotal force in the fight against ISIS in North Syria. The recent spate of attacks highlights the ongoing volatility in eastern Syria, especially in areas near the Euphrates River, where control is fragmented among different groups.
