2022 Jabal al-Bishrī clashes explained

Conflict:	2022 Jabal al-Bishrī clashes
Partof:	the Syrian Desert campaign (December 2017–present) during the Syrian civil war
Date:	20–23 June 2022
Place:	Jebel Bishri, border between Deir ez-Zor Governorate, Raqqa Governorate and Homs Governorate.
Result:	Inconclusive
Combatant1:	National Defense Force Air Force
Combatant2:	Islamic State
Units1:	Syrian Arab Army
Units2:	Military of the Islamic State
Strength1:	Unknown
Strength2:	Unknown
Casualties1:	26 killed^[1]
Casualties2:	7+ killed
Casualties3:	2 civilian bus drivers killed^[2]

The 2022 Jabal al-Bishrī clashes were a set of clashes that took place in the Jabal al-Bishrī highland area on the border of the Deir ez-Zor Governorate, Raqqa Governorate and Homs Governorates between forces of the Syrian Government and the Islamic State.

The attacks came after the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on a large grouping of Islamic State fighters in the Palmyra desert on 9 June.^[3]

The clashes

On 20 June, 11 Syrian government soldiers and two bus drivers were killed in an ambush by ISIS militants, targeting Syrian Army buses transporting soldiers on the highway in the Al-Jira area.^{[4] [5]} The Islamic State later claimed responsibility for this attack.^[6]

On 21 June, three Syrian government soldiers were killed and three others were injured after IS fighters attacked a temporary military outpost in the Jabal Al-Bishri desert on the administrative boundary between Raqqa and Deir az-Zour provinces in northeastern Syria under the cover of a sandstorm.^{[7] [8]}

On 22 June, late in the day, clashes began between government and IS forces in the Jabal Al-Bishri desert, following aerial bombardment in the area by Russian warplanes, targeting IS positions. These clashes continued into the next day, leaving at least 9 Syrian soldiers and 7 IS fighters dead.^{[9] [1]}

SOHR reported that on 24 June, in response to the clashes, Syrian government forces launched large-scale combing operations in the area to find and eliminate IS cells in the region.^[10]

Notes and References

1. Web site: ISIS dramatic escalation 26 regime soldiers and militiamen killed in Jabal Al-Bashari area in 72 hours. 23 June 2022. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
2. Web site: Spotlight on Global Jihad (June 16-22, 2022). 23 June 2022. The Meir Intelligence and Terrorism Information Centre.
3. Web site: Escalating ISIS activity Dozens of ISIS fighters gather openly in area controlled by Iranian-backed militias and regime forces in Palmyra desert for unknown reasons. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 9 June 2022.
4. Web site: At least 13 killed in northern Syria bus attack. Al Jazeera. 20 June 2022.
5. Web site: Armed Attack Claims Lives Of 11 Government Soldiers In Syria's Raqqa. North Press Agency. 20 June 2022.
6. Web site: Syria Says Attack on Bus Kills 13 . 2023-03-27 . VOA . en.
7. Web site: Fresh ISIS attack Five regime soldiers killed and injured in attack on military outpost in Al-Raqqah desert. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 21 June 2022.
8. Web site: Islamic State group militants kill three regime fighters in Syrian Desert. The New Arab. 21 June 2022.
9. Web site: ISIS kills nine pro-regime fighters in eastern Syria: War monitor. Al Arabiyah. 23 June 2022.
10. Web site: After death of 26 soldiers and militiamen in separate attacks Regime forces launch large-scale campaign targeting ISIS cells in southern Al-Raqqah. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 24 June 2022.