Violent clashes rage between ISIS and the SDF east of the Euphrates River

Deir Ezzor Province – The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: the violent clashes renewed between the Syria Democratic Forces against the “Islamic State” organization, in areas in the outskirts and the vicinity of Gharanij town located to the east of the Euphrates River, in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored an attack by members of the organization in an attempt to achieve advancement in the area, and regain the control of areas it lost earlier, and the clashes are accompanied by exchange of targeting between the both parties.

And the organization fights desperately to maintain its presence in the area, and there are 5 villages and towns are fully controlled by the organization they are: Abu al-Hassan, Sha’afah, Susah, Al-Baghuz, Al-Bobadran and their districts, while there are 3 towns and villages are out of ISIS full control and they are: al-Bahra, Hajin and Gharanij, as the SDF control different parts in these 3 villages and towns, thus there are entire 5 villages and towns as well as parts of other 3 villages and towns still remaining under ISIS control, and the clashes are accompanied by exchange targeting and shelling on the clash areas, through which the SDF are trying to end the presence of the organization in the area, while it is noteworthy that this fighting and shelling which started again in early December 2017, due to a new attack carried out by the forces of “Al-Jazeera Storm” Operation, resulted in a new displacement towards the SDF-held areas and other areas far from the violent shelling and killing, and the SOHR monitored that the displaced people set up camps where they can stay until the end of the fighting or the control of the organization over their areas and towns- from which they have fled- ends.