Attacks and security campaigns | Four commanders among 37 ISIS members killed in Ramadan
ISIS has escalated its activities greatly in Ramadan through stepping up its operations in SDF-held areas in eastern Euphrates and in areas under the control of regime forces and loyalists in western Euphrates and the Syrian desert. However, ISIS sustained great losses during the same month due to the security campaigns, attacks and clashes in different areas.
According to Syrian Observatory activists, four commanders among 37 ISIS members have been killed since the beginning of Ramadan in clashes with regime forces and loyalists in the Syrian desert, security campaigns by SDF in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, clashes with SDF in Al-Tabaqah city in rural Al-Raqqah, and the airstrike which targeted ex-ISIS commander in southern Afrin.
Since early Ramadan, Syrian Observatory activists have documented 43 attacks by ISIS members and cells; these attacks included detonations, executions, surprise attacks, and ambushes.
Neither SDF and International Coalition security campaigns in eastern Euphrates nor the large reinforcement brought in recently by the Iranians and regime forces to the desert have been able to contain ISIS’ growing activities and attacks.
In areas under the control of regime forces and loyalists, SOHR activists have documented 11 attacks by ISIS during Ramadan, from attacks to detonations and executions. These attacks concentrated in the desert of Deir Ezzor and Homs, leaving 37 regime soldiers and loyal militiamen dead, in addition to the killing of a civilian woman in field execution.
Observatory activists have also documented nearly 32 other ISIS attacks in SDF-held areas, mostly concentrated in cities and towns of the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. These attacks left 21 persons dead, and they are as follows: an official who was in charge of fuel in SADCOP (Storing and Distributing Co., Petroleum Products) which is affiliated to Deir Ezzor Civil Council, another person was escorting him, and five civilians including a woman, while the rest are of Syria Democratic Forces. Many other civilians and SDF members sustained injures.