A renewed surge in ISIS attacks saw April rank among the highest monthly death tolls for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) since 2019. ISIS cells were responsible for some 35 ambushes, IED blasts and other operations that killed at least 30 SDF fighters. The group’s mounting violence has not been limited to the SDF, however: all parties in the north-east are targets. In mid-April, ISIS militants ambushed and killed at least 20 regime military cadets traveling through the eastern Homs desert. ISIS is also one of many groups responsible for laying mines that continue to kill civilians in the region: 14 individuals died last month due to landmines.
ISIS Activity
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have been the primary target of a new wave of ISIS attacks, with a surge in violent activity by ISIS cells in the north-east killing and wounding scores of SDF troops in recent weeks. In total, 27 armed attacks and eight IED blasts killed at least 30 SDF fighters across Deir Ezzor, Hasakeh and Raqqa.
ISIS is not only targeting the SDF: a total of seven armed ambushes hit regime forces in recent weeks, killing at least 32 troops and wounding many others. The rising attacks have been primarily centred in Deir Ezzor province, with other attacks also recorded in Hasakeh and Homs provinces. In one instance, ISIS cells ambushed an overnight bus transporting recruits in eastern Homs province, killing at least 20 troops.
ISIS continued its longstanding campaign of terror and intimidation against civilian communities across the north-east, particularly singling-out individuals that the group accuses of working with the SDF or who refused to pay a tax levied by ISIS on local families and businesses. At least six civilians were killed or injured in targeted attacks in Deir Ezzor in recent weeks, usually by armed gunmen.
SDF Activity
During raids, patrols and/or military operations, the SDF killed several civilians either accidentally or in the process of re-establishing control over restive areas. In another major incident on the 27th, a botched arrest raid in western Hasakeh was met with resistance from local villagers, leading the SDF to fire into a crowd and kill six people.
The SDF conducted dozens of raids across the north-east in April, arresting scores of individuals and detaining a number for attempting to cross into Turkish-controlled “Peace Spring” regions. In missions supported by US-led International Coalition forces, the SDF also arrested at least three individuals accused of working with ISIS in Deir Ezzor and Hasakeh.
Long-running clashes between the SDF and Turkish forces continued to simmer along frontlines in northern Aleppo and Raqqa, with frequent artillery exchanges and drone strikes resulting in regular SDF casualties. The Turkish army and Syrian National Army (SNA) struck SDF positions in eastern Aleppo province and northern Raqqa province.
