ISIS Sleeper Cells Surge in Syria: Wave of Attacks Hits SDF-Controlled Areas

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a dangerous escalation of militant activity, Islamic State (ISIS) sleeper cells have launched a series of coordinated attacks on positions held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) across eastern Syria, signaling a troubling resurgence of the extremist group.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), one of the most significant incidents took place in the town of Diban in Deir ez-Zor province, where ISIS operatives opened fire with automatic weapons on an SDF military point.

A civilian woman sustained injuries from stray gunfire and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The attackers fled and remain at large.

This attack is part of a broader wave of violence—marking the sixth such operation within 24 hours—demonstrating the group's heightened activity in territories under SDF control. The following are the confirmed attacks reported by SOHR:

1- Darnaj Clash: An SDF patrol engaged in a firefight with suspected ISIS members in the village of Darnaj, Deir ez-Zor, after an attempt to plant improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Local residents had tipped off security forces about suspicious movements. The confrontation resulted in the death of one assailant, while another was wounded and managed to escape.

2- Qawas Village Bomb Ambush: ISIS militants attacked an SDF patrol using grenades in the village of Qawas near Tabqa, in western Raqqa. Two SDF fighters sustained injuries. The ambush followed a security sweep in the area that had earlier resulted in the death of one ISIS member and the capture of three others. The attackers fled the scene, prompting an aerial reconnaissance operation.

3- Al-Sabha Water Station Attack: An SDF checkpoint stationed at the Sabkha water station came under fire. Several personnel, including a civilian security guard, were injured during the assault.

4- Jadid Akidat Ambush: ISIS-linked gunmen targeted an SDF patrol in Jadid Akidat. While details on casualties remain unavailable, the incident further demonstrates the coordinated nature of the current assault wave.

5- Al-Kalta Village and al-Khaniz Village Road Ambush: One SDF fighter was killed and two others wounded when an SDF military vehicle was ambushed between al-Kalta and al-Khaniz in northern Raqqa. Armed clashes followed the attack, with Internal Security Forces (Asayish) deploying reinforcements to the area.

In response to the spike in attacks, the SDF imposed a strict curfew across affected zones, using loudspeakers to instruct civilians to stay indoors as security operations intensified.

A Growing Threat: 2025 ISIS Operations in Numbers

SOHR reports that since the beginning of 2025, ISIS has conducted 97 operations across regions controlled by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. These include shootings, bombings, and ambushes, resulting in a total of 35 deaths and dozens of injuries. The casualties are broken down as follows:

- 23 SDF fighters and allied forces

- 7 ISIS operatives

- 5 civilians

Regional Breakdown:

- Deir ez-Zor: 81 attacks, 18 SDF/allied fatalities, 2 ISIS deaths, 5 civilian deaths, and 19 injuries.

- Hasakah: 10 attacks, 4 ISIS killed, 2 Asayish members and 1 SDF fighter dead, and 2 injuries.

- Raqqa: 6 attacks, resulting in 1 death each from SDF, Asayish, and ISIS, and 7 wounded.

The spike in ISIS operations has raised alarm among regional security observers, who warn of the group’s ability to regroup and launch high-impact attacks despite territorial losses. Security forces remain on high alert, as the SDF and local communities brace for further unrest.