ISIS resurgence | Over ten regime soldiers and ISIS members killed in large-scale attack on regime positions and posts in Deir Ezzor desert

Reliable sources have told SOHR that ISIS members launched a large-scale attack on regime forces and their proxy militias in Deir Ezzor desert near the administrative border with al-Raqqah, including south Deir Ezzor desert, the surrounding areas of al-Kharatah refinery in the south-west of Deir Ezzor, the surrounding areas and outskirts of Jabal al-Bishri.

 

Fierce clashes with heavy weapons erupted between the two sides, along with the participation of Russian fighter jets with the aim to repel ISIS attack. According to SOHR sources, the clashes left seven regime soldiers and loyal militiamen dead, while ISIS lost five members at least due to the clashes and Russian airstrikes. The death toll is expected to rise further as the clashes left several soldiers and members injured, some seriously.

 

Since March 24, 2019, SOHR has documented the killing of at least 1,509 regime soldiers and loyalists of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities, including at least two Russians, and 153 Iranian-backed militiamen of non-Syrian nationalities. All were killed in attacks, bombings and ambushes by the “Islamic State”, west of Euphrates in the deserts of Deir Ezzor, al-Raqqah, Homs, al-Suwaidaa, Hama and Aleppo.

 

Also, four civilians working in gas fields and tens shepherds and other civilians, including children and women, were killed and documented by SOHR in the same period, from late March 2019 until today. They were killed in attacks by ISIS cells. While 973 ISIS members were also killed in attacks and bombardment in the same period.