ISIS cells continue to launch sustained attacks in north-east Syria, primarily targeting regime forces in a series of bloody ambushes in the central desert. In SDF-held areas, there has been a recent uptick in the number of young men and teenagers joining ISIS through local recruitment efforts by the extremist group. The Self Administration postponed municipal elections scheduled for 11th June to an as-yet-undefined date in August, citing “insufficient preparedness” amongst participating parties. Both the US and Russia have rejected the electoral process, with Turkey threatening military action if local authorities proceed.
ISIS Activity
ISIS has stepped up its attacks on regime targets in the desert regions of Deir Ezzor and Raqqa. In June, 27 regime forces were killed and scores others injured because of five armed attacks and four IED explosions. Attacks targeting the SDF, meanwhile, are in decline, with only two armed attacks and four IED blasts recorded in Deir Ezzor and Hasakeh provinces. Last month’s attacks killed 10 SDF troops, a more than 60% decline compared to casualties in April.
SDF Activity
Long-running clashes between the SDF and Turkish forces continued to simmer along frontlines in northern Aleppo and Raqqa, with artillery exchanges and drone strikes resulting in regular SDF casualties. The Turkish army and Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) struck SDF positions in Raqqa province as well as in Hasakeh province, killing at least four individuals in June.
In Raqqa and eastern Deir Ezzor, the SDF is stepping up raids to conscript young men to their ranks. The group has also continued to conduct regular raids and arrest campaigns in areas under its control, arresting more than a dozen individuals in Deir Ezzor, Raqqa and northern Hasakeh.
Regime Activity
In response to costly attacks launched against its troops, the regime launched sweeping campaigns against ISIS forces through the Al-Tibni and Al-Tibani deserts in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor provinces. Additionally, Russian forces have continued an ineffectual aerial campaign against ISIS in the central Badia desert, launching air strikes on ISIS positions in the Al-Rusafa desert in southern Raqqa.
Political and Humanitarian Developments
The Self Administration’s Elections Commission postponed municipal elections scheduled to be held on 11th June to an as-yet-undetermined date in August. However, in the face of political opposition from Russia, the regime, Turkey and the US—as well as significant segments of the local population. The poll has been seen by some as akin to a power grab by ruling authorities, with the Self Administration accused of manipulating political boundaries at municipal level to marginalize Arab populations, by merging Kobani with the tribal Euphrates region and separating Al-Tabqa from Raqqa.
On 21st June, meanwhile, unidentified warplanes targeted a car loaded with weapons belonging to Iranian militias in the Al-Bukamal countryside in eastern Deir Ezzor. The attack killed at least one member, an Iraqi fighter.