ISIS attack injures three SDF fighters in Deir ez-Zor

“At 12:10 AM on Saturday, one of our SDF patrols was attacked on Abu Khashab road, west of Deir Ezzor, resulting in injuring three of our fighters.”
A banner of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is flown in northeastern Syria (Photo: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP)
A banner of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is flown in northeastern Syria (Photo: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP)

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Saturday said that three SDF fighters were injured in a suspected ISIS attack on Abu Khashab road, west of Deir Ezzor. 

“At 12:10 AM on Saturday, one of our SDF patrols was attacked on Abu Khashab road, west of Deir Ezzor, resulting in injuring three of our fighters, while one of our senior commanders, who plays a crucial role in the ongoing battle against ISIS in the area, managed to survive,” the SDF said.

“Initial investigations have confirmed the involvement of an ISIS terrorist cell.”

The Syria-based Rojava Information Centre (RIC) said in a tweet that the Deir ez-Zor region has recently witnessed an increase in ISIS sleeper cell activity.

According to RIC's April Sleeper Cell Report, 14 out of 20 attacks have occurred in the Deir ez-Zor region.

The RIC further noted ISIS’s efforts to impose taxes on oil in the Deir ez-Zor region, with gunmen blocking oil trucks and contractors and forcing them to pay zakat (taxes). 

The SDF subsequently launched raids in response to prevent a possible resurgence of ISIS.