Eastern Syria insurgency explained

Conflict:	Eastern Syria insurgency
Partof:	the Rojava conflict and the Syrian civil war
Date:	11 October 2017^[1] – present
Place:	Portions of eastern Syria
Status:	Ongoing
Combatant1:	Islamic State Wilayat al-Sham ---- Syrian government loyalists Popular Resistance of the Eastern Region Popular Resistance in Hasakah Popular Resistance in Manbij Supported by: ---- Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army Harakat al-Qiyam Ahrar al-Sharqiya Gathering of the Eastern Martyrs Revolutionaries in the Land of Deir ez-Zor Special Tasks Battalion Pro-opposition tribes^[2] ^[3] ^[4] ----Anti-SDF Arab tribes (2023)^[5] ---- Hurras al-Din (al-Qaeda loyalists)
Combatant2:	Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria Syrian Democratic Forces Self-Defence Forces (HXP) Internal Security Forces (Asayish) Pro-SDF Arab tribes CJTF–OIR United States France^[6] ^[7] United Kingdom^[8] Kurdistan Workers' Party
Commander1:	Thabit Sobhi Fahd Al-Ahmad^[9] Mohammed Remedan Eyd al-Talah
Commander2:	Mazloum Abdi Eric T. Hill
Units1:	Military of ISIL Insurgent forces Army of the Security Forces^[10] Sleeper cells ---- IRGC (alleged)
Units2:	Syrian Democratic Forces YPG YPJ Anti-Terror Units CJTF–OIR Special Operations Joint Task Force (SOJTF)
Strength1:	Unknown, probably thousands
Strength2:	60,000–75,000 (2017 estimate)^[11] 2,000 (2018 estimate)
Casualties1:	ISIL: 204+ killed, 107 captured, 161 wounded (2018)^[12]
Casualties2:	SDF: 542 killed (vs IS; Aug. 2018 - Nov. 2021)^[13] 5 killed (vs TAF; 2018) Coalition: 6 killed^[14]
Casualties3:	300 civilians killed (Aug. 2018 - Nov. 2021)

The Eastern Syria insurgency is an armed insurgency being waged by remnants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and both pro and anti-Syrian government Arab nationalist insurgents, against the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), its military (the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)), and their allies in the US-led Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF–OIR) coalition.

Background

The insurgency began after a series of campaigns in 2016 and 2017 which took territory from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, led by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the CJTF-OIR. This eventually resulted in the taking of the Islamic State capital of Raqqa, and other areas in the Aleppo, Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor Governorates. These are Arab-majority areas, often with large Turkmen minorities, some of whom resented the Kurdish influence in the SDF.^[15]

Multiple factions, made up mostly of Arabs, have formed armed groups in support of either the Syrian opposition or Syrian government, with additional Islamic State remnants operating as clandestine cells who have emerged in areas captured by the SDF and the coalition during the 2016-2017 campaigns. These groups have also utilized guerilla tactics to target the SDF and Coalition forces, including assassinations, hit and run attacks, rocket attacks and use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Attacks have occurred in cities across Rojava, including Manbij, Raqqa and Hasakah.

Insurgent factions

• Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant: Following the loss of most of its territory, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has launched a desert-based insurgency, while simultaneously attempting to rally elements of the civilian population to its cause. By attacking SDF-backed civil authorities, it undermines the latter's reputation and worsens existing grievances, resulting in a deteriorating security situation. It is unclear how many active ISIL fighters still operate in Syria, but they probably number several thousands.^[16]
• Government loyalists: Various pro-government groups operate in eastern Syria, including the "Popular Resistance of the Eastern Region" (founded in February 2018 in Raqqa), the "Popular Resistance in Hasakah" (founded in April 2018),^[17] and the "Popular Resistance in Manbij" (founded in June 2018).^[18] These groups are reportedly supported by Iran, and elements of the Syrian Armed Forces such as the Baqir Brigade.^[17] The SDF and AANES government have accused Iran of organizing assassinations in SDF-held areas, attempting to turn locals against the SDF and American-led Coalition presence.^[19]

Timeline

2017

• November – Harakat al-Qiyam attempted to assassinate SDF commander Muhammad Abu Adel with an IED in Manbij, leaving him injured.^[20]

2018

• 5 April – The Popular Resistance claimed to have carried out a mortar or rocket attack on a U.S. base at Ayn Issa.^{[21] [22]}
• 6 April – The Baqir Brigade vowed to aid the pro-government insurgency in territories held by U.S.-allied forces.^{[21] [22]}
• 17 May – U.S. special forces arrested ISIL commanders following an air drop near the Iraqi border in al-Hasakah Governorate.^[23]
• 17 August - A Base housing US and French Special Forces near Deir ez-Zor was attacked by ISIL members. The attack was repelled and at least seven jihadist were killed^{[24] [25]}
• 2 September – 5 SDF militiamen were killed and wounded by an IED planted in Raqqa.^[26]
• 31 October – The Turkish military and SDF began clashes with stated future goals of a Turkish-led operation in Manbij. The fighting lasted one week, with the United States responding by establishing observation posts in Manbij to prevent further violence.^[27]
• 2 November – ISIL gunmen assassinated the prominent tribal leader Sheikh Basheer Faisal al-Huwaidi in broad daylight in the city of Raqqa.^[28]
• 4 November – A car bomb exploded in the city of Raqqa, killing at least one person and injuring ten more people, which included members of the SDF. ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack through its Amaq News Agency.^{[29] [30] [31]}
• 4 December – YPG claimed to have arrested four members of Harakat al-Qiyam, allegedly collaborating with Turkish intelligence.^[32]

2019

January–March

• January – the founder of the Arab Ahwaz Brigade, an Arab Free Syrian Army group from Deir ez-Zor, was killed by an IED planted by ISIL in Deir ez-Zor. He reportedly joined the Syrian Democratic Forces and became involved with its Deir ez-Zor Military Council serving as a leader in the council.^[33]
• 16 January – the Manbij bombing killed 15 Manbij Military Council (MMC) fighters and four US soldiers. ISIL claimed the attack through its news agency Amaq.^{[34] [35]}
• 21 January – an ISIL suicide SVBIED targeted a US convoy accompanied by SDF troops on the Shadadi-Hasakah road in the Jazira Region, killing five SDF personnel. Witnesses say the SVBIED rammed into an SDF vehicle by a checkpoint held by Kurdish forces a dozen kilometers outside Shadadi as the US convoy drove past.^[36]
• 7 February – the SDF media center announced the capture of 63 ISIL operatives in Raqqa, part of a sleeper cell. They were all arrested within a 24-hour period, ending the day-long curfew that had been imposed on the city the day before.^[37]
• 9 February – ISIL militants attacked SDF fighters near the al-Omar oilfield, triggering airstrikes by the U.S.-led Coalition. SOHR said 12 Islamic State fighters attacked the SDF and clashed with them for several hours until most of the attackers were killed. Ten attackers were reportedly killed, while two managed to flee. Other activist collectives, including the Step news agency, reported the attack, saying some of the attackers used motorcycles rigged with explosives.^[38]
• 21 February – two successive SVBIEDs detonated in the market area of Shahil, Syria - 10 kilometers from the SDF's al-Omar oilfield HQ - killing 14 people. SOHR reported a car bomb that was detonated remotely as a convoy of workers and technicians that worked at the oilfield was passing by. SOHR said 20 were killed and others wounded.^{[39] [40] [41]} SVBIED attacks were also reported in Afrin and the village of Ghandura near Jarablus.^[39]
• 9 March – eight people were wounded when a suicide bomber blew up a car in Manbij, near a market. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.^{[42] [43]}
• 14 March – an IED in Raqqa targeted a US military convoy. Al-Masdar reported that the pro-Syrian government Popular Resistance of Raqqa group claimed responsibility and that they had killed SDF fighters and injured U.S. soldiers, but that these claims could not be independently verified and that neither the US nor SDF confirmed the reports.^{[44] [45]}
• 26 March – ISIL gunmen opened fire on a checkpoint in Manbij, killing seven MMC fighters.^[46]

April–June

• 3 April – An ISIL cell clashed with the SDF and the Asayish in Raqqa, with 4 ISIL fighters blowing themselves with explosive belts, according to SOHR.^[47]
• 5 April – About 200 ISIL detainees revolted and attempted to escape from Dêrik prison in al-Malikiyah. The breakout was foiled, and some of the prisoners were subsequently distributed to other detention centers.^[48]
• 10 April – ISIL cells attacked SDF fighters at a checkpoint in rural Deir Ez Zor on the outskirts of the town of al-Shuhayl, the cell reportedly used machine guns and RPGs during the attack, as part of a global campaign launched by ISIL, which the group has called "The campaign in revenge for the blessed Province of the Levant" after losing territorial control in Syria after the Battle of Baghuz Fawqani, which has prompted the group to carry out a series of attacks around the world where the group has a presence, as well as encouraging supporters to carry out lone wolf attacks in their countries, other attacks related to the group's call for vengeance have occurred in Libya and Iraq.^{[49] [50] [51] [52]}
• 12 April – ISIL claimed responsibility for an attack in Manbij against members of the SDF.^[53]
• 23 April – Major protests began in the cities of Al-Busayrah and Shuhail in the eastern part of the Deir ez-Zor Governorate in opposition to SDF and Kurdish rule.^[54]
• 7 May – A senior commander in the SDFs' Deir ez-Zor military council claimed that Iran, Turkey, and the Syrian government are collaborating to destabilize SDF controlled areas with fighters from Operation Euphrates Shield and al-Nusra remnant cells in eastern Syria. The commander also claimed there is ideological support for ISIL and al-Nusra among the local populations, particularly in the towns of Jadidat Agidat, Shehail, and Basira, which is a hub for Deir ez-Zor's tribes and has also been the site for recent protests against SDF administration.^[55] The commander also claimed that the SDF had foiled 180 attempted attacks against SDF, and claimed that Turkey and the Syrian Government provide support for these attacks.^[56]
• 11 May – Unidentified gunmen attacked a YPG headquarters in the western part of the town of Shuhail, where ongoing protests against the SDF were occurring.^[57]
• 30 May – U.S. special forces arrested 15 ISIL members following an air drop in Qana village in al-Hasakah Governorate.^[58]

July–September

• 1 July – U.S. special forces arrested two ISIL commanders following an air drop in Attala village in al-Hasakah Governorate.^[59]
• 7 July – SDF forces arrested at least 30 people and confiscated their belongings in Al-Izba village in Deir ez-Zor Governorate.^[60] On the same day, U.S. special forces arrested an ISIL commander after encircling his house in Al-Harijiyeh village in Deir Ezzor Governorate.
• 12 July – U.S. special forces killed an ISIL commander in the area between al-Suwar and Abu al-Nitel village.^[61]
• 14 July – According to Al-Masdar, the SDF and U.S. special forces killed ISIL's oil minister Thabit Sobhi Fahd Al-Ahmad during a raid somewhere in Deir ez-Zor Governorate.^[62]
• 25 July – SDF forces arrested 8 ISIS members within the east Euphrates area.^[60]
• 1 September – The SDF's Anti-Terror Units captured Mohammed Remedan Eyd al-Talah, ISIL's chief financial officer, during a raid in ash-Shahil, Deir ez-Zor Governorate.^[63]

October–December

• October – The U.S. withdrew from many of its bases in northern Syria in early October, substantially reducing its presence there and disrupting anti-ISIL operations.^[64] Nevertheless, the U.S., with Kurdish, Turkish and Iraqi assistance, conducted a successful high-stakes special operations raid in Barisha, Idlib targeting ISIL Caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi; the raid resulted in Baghdadi's death and ISIL selecting a new leader/Caliph Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi.^[65] By the end of October, the U.S. had adopted a subordinate mission to protect SDF-controlled oil and gas infrastructure, including oil fields, from the ISIL insurgency as the insurgent group had previously used profits from oil smuggling to fund its activities. The U.S. deployed mechanized infantry units for the first time in its intervention to "reinforce" its presence in eastern Syria and to assist its continuing anti-ISIL insurgency mission.^[66]
• 22 November – Coalition forces accompanied by allies attacked ISIL enclaves near the Iraqi border, which reportedly resulted in multiple ISIL fighters being killed and wounded.^{[67] [68]} While up to 600 ISIL fighters are thought to be defending a small pocket stronghold in Syria's eastern province of Deir ez-Zor.^[69]
• 26 November – A car bomb went off in an area under the control of Turkish and allied rebel forces west of Ras al-Ayn, killing at least 17 people and injuring 20 others. The attack happened at a local village market. The Turkish government blamed YPG and PKK for the attack.^{[70] [71] [72]}

2020

January–March

• 1 January – 16 ISIS fighters were captured during a raid in Deir ez-Zor Governorate by the Coalition forces.^[73]
• 14 January – SDF managed to kill two ISIL members, including Abu Alward Al-Iraqi, who was responsible for oil trading, in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate.^{[74] [75]}
• 17 January – During an explosion targeting an SDF vehicle in Abu Hardub village in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, one SDF member was killed and one more injured.^[76]
• 27 January – Coalition Bradley IFVs were pulled out of Syria after less than two month of deployment due to unspecified reasons.^[77]
• 11 February – U.S. special forces arrested 3 suspected ISIL members following an air drop in ash-Shahil, Deir ez-Zor Governorate.^[78]

April–June

• 17 May – Two regional ISIS leaders, Ahmad 'Isa Ismail al-Zawi and Ahmad 'Abd Muhammad Hasan al-Jughayfi, were killed by coalition forces in Deir Ezzor Governorate.^[79]
• 22 May – U.S. special forces killed an ISIL commander and arrested another following an air drop in ash-Shahil, Deir ez-Zor Governorate.^[80]
• 26 May – The Iraqi counter-terrorism agency announced that a U.S. airstrike managed to kill Mu'taz Numan 'Abd Nayif Najm al-Jaburi, a senior leader and bomb-maker in ISIS, in Deir Ezzor Governorate.^[81] The U.S. Rewards for Justice Program used to offer up to $5 million reward to information that would bring him to justice.^[82]
• 29 June – U.S. special forces arrested suspected ISIL members following an air drop in ash-Shahil, Deir ez-Zor Governorate.^[83]

July–December

ISIL militants reportedly continued to routinely extort doctors, shop owners, heads of factories, landowners, and many others to pay them zakat.^[84]

• October 2020 – SDF announced plans to free thousands of Syrians held at the al-Hawl refugee camp.^[84]

2021

• 11 January – Three people including a former Asayish member were assassinated by unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle near Al-Busayrah, Deir ez-Zor Governorate.^[85]
• 10 May – An SDF member was assassinated in al-Busaiteen, near the town of al-Suwar, meanwhile four SDF members were killed when ISIS militants opened fire on their bus in Al-Kabar, western countryside of Deir ez-Zor.^[86]
• 13 August – U.S. coalition conducted a special operation to arrest an ISIS militant in Mahamida near Abu Khashab, Deir ez-Zor.^[87]
• 13 December - The SDF stated that counter-terrorism forces had killed five members of an ISIL cell hiding in al-Busayrah during a joint raid with the coalition. Most of the five militants wore explosive belts, the SDF stated. SOHR said four members of a family were also killed, two of which were targeted by coalition helicopter gunfire while trying to flee on a motorbike.^[88]

2022

• 20 January – The al-Hasakah prison attack begins.
• 11 September – ISIS attack kills 6 SDF fighters in Deir Ez-Zor^[89]

2023

• 3 April – An American-led coalition strike kills senior ISIS member Khalid Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri.^[90]
• August 10 – 33 Syrian soldiers were killed and 10 were injured in an ambush carried out by Islamic State militants west of the city of Mayadeen.
• August 28 - Fighting erupts between the SDF and tribal fighters after several members of the latter were arrested on charges of criminal activity, including drug trafficking. Those arrested included Abu Khawla, Deir ez-Zor Military Council commander. Over the next two days, at least 30 people are killed in clashes at Hrejieh and Breeha.^[5]

See also

• Islamic State insurgency in Iraq (2017–present), a similar insurgency in neighboring Iraq
• Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone
• Syrian Desert campaign (December 2017–present)
• SDF insurgency in Northern Aleppo
• Insurgency in Idlib

Further reading

• The End of the Syrian Civil War. Are the Insurgencies Truly Over? . McCabe . Thomas R. . Summer 2019. Middle East Quarterly. Middle East Forum. Philadelphia.

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Qiyam Phenomenon: Analysis of Syria's Harakat al-Qiyam. Trent. Schoenborn. May 18, 2018.
2. Web site: Torture-Killings in Manbij Inflame Tensions Between SDF and Local Tribes. 18 January 2018. Syrianobserver.com.
3. Web site: Syrian Arab tribes call on Turkish forces to intervene against Kurdish YPG. Ahvalnews.com.
4. Web site: Syrian tribes vow 'popular resistance' against PKK/PYD. Aa.com.tr.
5. Web site: Several killed in fighting between SDF and tribesmen in eastern Syria . aljazeera.com . 30 August 2023 . 31 August 2023.
6. Web site: France to continue military operation in Syria and Iraq in 2019, Macron says. January 17, 2019.
7. Web site: US, French troops seen conducting joint patrol in Manbij, Syria. Kyle. Rempfer. May 3, 2018. Military Times.
8. News: SAS among special forces fighting in Syria, MoD admits. Tim Ripley and Richard. Kerbaj. 27 September 2023 . www.thetimes.co.uk.
9. Web site: Islamic State oil minister 'killed' in Syrian hideout. Baladi-News. 16 July 2019. 20 December 2021.
10. Web site: Assad Al Mohammad. The Islamic State's effort to co-opt Tanzim Hurras ad-Din. Program on Extremism: The George Washington University. November 2019.
11. Book: Rashid, Bedir Mulla. Obaida Hitto. Military and Security Structures of the Autonomous Administration in Syria. https://web.archive.org/web/20180701140230/http://omranstudies.org/publications/reports/download/68_d403f01ed28320cb2e67b13cffb381c7.html. dead. 2018-07-01. 1st pub. 2017. 2018. Omran for Strategic Studies. Istanbul.
12. https://www.ypgrojava.org/Results-of-battles-and-resistance-of-YPG-throughout-2018 Results of battles and resistance of YPG throughout 2018
13. https://www.syriahr.com/en/227628/ Security chaos in Deir Ezzor Former SDF fighter and ex-ISIS member assassinated, while clashes among oil smugglers leave four injured
14. Web site: American service member, British armed forces member killed in Syria. www.cbsnews.com. 30 March 2018 .
15. Web site: Casagrande . Genevieve . 7 November 2017 . ISW Blog: Post-ISIS Insurgency Looms in Northern Syria . Institute for the Study of War.
16. Web site: Islamic State wages desert-based insurgency in Iraq and Syria. Thomas Joscelyn . Long War Journal. 7 August 2018 . 8 August 2019.
17. Web site: 2 May 2018 . Syrian Threats Against The U.S. Presence In Syria Continue: U.S. Troops, Bases Are In Our Sights And Will Pay A Heavy Price . 2 August 2019 . MEMRI.
18. Web site: 3 weeks after a meeting of clans east of Aleppo…an unidentified group announce the formation of a "Popular Resistance" against the US, Turkish and French forces in Manbij . 25 June 2018. SOHR. 23 April 2020.
19. Web site: Kajjo . Sirwan . 23 November 2020 . Iran Strengthens Military Presence in Eastern Syria . 29 April 2021 . VOA.
20. Web site: FSA Qiyam Movement claims the responsibility of them targeting "Abu Adel" the newly appointed leader of MMC in Manbij by an IED. Syria.liveuamap.com.
21. Web site: Daragahi . Borzou . 16 April 2018 . Iranian-Backed Militias Set Sights on U.S. Forces . 25 April 2019 . Foreign Policy.
22. Web site: Smyth . Phillip . 12 April 2018 . Iran Is Outpacing Assad for Control of Syria's Shia Militias . 15 April 2019 . Washington Institute.
23. Web site: التحالف الدولي ينفذ عملية إنزال لاعتقال قيادات بداعش شرقي سوريا . elwatannews.com . ar . 17 May 2018 .
24. Web site: Coalition Forces In Syria Repel ISIS Attack On Base Housing American, French Troops. August 18, 2018.
25. Web site: Coalition Forces In Syria Repel ISIS Attack On Base Housing American, French Troops• The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. August 19, 2018.
26. Web site: Raqqa: five SDF fighters killed and wounded in IED. En.zamanalwsl.net.
27. Web site: US to establish observation posts on Syria-Turkey border: Mattis. Rudaw.net.
28. News: Prominent Raqqa tribal leader assassinated in attack claimed by IS. Kurdistan24.net. 2018-11-02.
29. News: Islamic State says hits Syria's Raqqa with car bomb. Euronews.com. 2018-11-04.
30. News: سوريا: انفجار يهز الرقة والعشائر تدعو إلى مظاهرة غداً. Ammonnews.net. 2018-11-04. 2018-11-04. ar-AR.
31. News: مقتل شخص وإصابة 10 في هجوم بسيارة مفخخة بالرقة. Dostor.org. 2018-11-04. 2018-11-04. ar-AR.
32. Web site: Turkish-backed sleeper cells captured by our forces - English. Ypgrojava.org. 2018-12-09. 2018-12-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20181229220544/https://www.ypgrojava.org/Turkish-backed-sleeper-cells-captured-by-our-forces. dead.
33. Web site: One of the most prominent military leaders in Deir Ezzor and one of the first defectors from Assad's forces, Abu Isaac Al-Ahwazy, is killed. January 16, 2019. April 8, 2020. March 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200328015412/https://en.deirezzor24.net/one-of-the-most-prominent-military-leaders-in-deir-ezzor-and-one-of-the-first-defectors-from-assads-forces-abu-isaac-al-ahwazy-is-killed/. dead.
34. News: Cohen . Zachary . Stracqualursi . Veronica . Liptak . Kevin . 4 Americans killed in Syria attack. ISIS claims responsibility . Cnn.com . 3 February 2019.
35. Web site: McDowall . Angus . Stewart . Phil . 16 January 2019 . Blast claimed by Islamic State kills U.S. troops in Syria . 3 February 2019 . Reuters.com.
36. Web site: Suicide attack on Kurdish-US convoy in Syria kills 5: monitor. 21 January 2019. Arab News. 3 February 2019.
37. Web site: February 8, 2019 . Over 60 ISIS operatives captured in Raqqa city . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190403174915/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/over-60-isis-operatives-captured-in-raqqa-city/ . April 3, 2019 . February 8, 2019.
38. Web site: US-backed Fighters Launch Final Push to Defeat IS in Syria . Voice of America. 9 February 2019 .
39. Web site: Two car bombings in Syria kill at least six - Breaking News . 2019-04-03 . Jerusalem Post. 21 February 2019 .
40. Web site: Syria: VBIEDs kill six people in Aleppo province February 21. GardaWorld. en. 2019-04-03.
41. News: Fox News. The Latest: Back-to-back suicide car bombs kill 14 in Syria. 21 February 2019.
42. News: ISIS claims bombing in Syria's Manbij which left at least eight casualties. Kurdistan24. 2019-03-09.
43. News: Suicide bomber strikes Syria's Manbij, injures 8: MMC. Rudaw. 2019-03-09.
44. News: Mysterious pro-gov't group allegedly attacks US military convoy in Raqqa (video). Al-Masdar News. 2019-03-23. 2019-04-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20190403175043/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/mysterious-pro-govt-group-allegedly-attacks-us-military-convoy-in-raqqa-video/. dead.
45. Web site: SDF troops suffer heavy casualties after convoy comes under attack in Raqqa . . 3 April 2018 . 12 September 2019 . 24 March 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190324162209/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/sdf-troops-suffer-heavy-casualties-after-convoy-comes-under-attack-in-raqqa/ . dead .
46. News: Daesh militants kill 7 US-backed fighters in Syria: commanders. 26 March 2019.
47. Web site: (Pictures) Suicide bombings shake al-Raqqah city as part of the renew of ISIS sleeper cells activity as the security operation of SDF, their intelligence, and Asayish continues • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. April 3, 2019.
48. News: Brenier . Georges . 11 April 2019 . INFO TF1/LCI - Syrie : des cadres français de Daech impliqués dans une mutinerie . LCI . 12 April 2019.
49. Web site: Within the "revenge war for al-Sham State," ISIS cells carry out new attacks on sites and checkpoints of SDF east of Euphrates • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. April 10, 2019.
50. Web site: IS-Aligned Media Groups Incite Lone-Wolf Attacks Globally in Revenge for Territorial Losses | Chatter | Jihadist News | Articles. ent.siteintelgroup.com. 12 April 2019. 13 April 2019. 13 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190413030443/https://ent.siteintelgroup.com/Chatter/is-aligned-media-groups-incite-lone-wolf-attacks-globally-in-revenge-for-territorial-losses.html. dead.
51. Web site: وكالة أعماق: تصفية 6 عناصر من ميليشيا حفتر في بلدة "غدوة" قرب مدينة سبها جنوب غربي ليبيا. Arabic .
52. Web site: ISIS launches 'Operation Vengeance for Sham' in several countries. News. Desk. April 10, 2019. April 13, 2019. April 23, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190423160926/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-launches-operation-vengeance-for-sham-in-several-countries/. dead.
53. Web site: هالكين من المرتدين بتفجير عبوتين في منبج . Arabic . 2019-04-13 . 2019-04-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190413030439/https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D35tQ0MWsAgvRQs.jpg . dead .
54. News: Arabs in Syria's Deir al-Zor protest against ruling Kurdish.... Reuters . 28 April 2019. 16 May 2019. www.Reuters.com.
55. Web site: Three Civilians Killed by Qasad Militia at a Protest. April 26, 2019.
56. Web site: SDF commander: Daesh launched nearly 180 attacks over a month, all were failure - ANHA | HAWARNEWS | English. hawarnews.com.
57. Web site: Unknown gunmen target the headquarters of YPG militia in Deir Al-Zour. May 10, 2019. Call Syria. May 13, 2019. May 15, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190515184707/http://www.nedaa-sy.com/en/news/13475. dead.
58. Web site: اعتقال 15 داعشيا في عملية إنزال جوي للتحالف بسوريا . elwatannews.com . ar . 30 May 2019 .
59. Web site: التحالف الدولي بالإشتراك مع قوات سوريا الديمقراطية ينفذ عملية إنزال جوي جنوب الحسكة ويعتقل قياديان يتبعان لخلايا تنظيم "الدولة الإسلامية" . SOHR . ar . 1 July 2019 .
60. Web site: SDF continue their security campaign and arrest 8 ISIS members east of the Euphrates . SOHR . 25 July 2019 .
61. Web site: ISIS commander killed, a citizen arrested in new air drop by the International Coalition and SDF north Deir Ezzor . SOHR . 12 July 2019 .
62. Web site: 14 July 2019 . ISIS oil minister killed in eastern Syria . 22 July 2019 . . 22 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190722043426/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-oil-minister-killed-in-eastern-syria/ . dead .
63. Web site: US-backed forces in Syria capture top ISIS financial officer . Wladimir van Wilgenburg . Kurdistan24 . 2 September 2019 . 3 September 2019 .
64. News: Trump makes way for Turkey operation against Kurds in Syria. 7 October 2019. BBC.
65. Web site: Islamic State confirms Baghdadi's death, names new 'Emir of the Faithful' FDD's Long War Journal. 2019-11-01. longwarjournal.org. en-US. 2019-11-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20191101130040/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2019/11/islamic-state-confirms-baghdadis-death-names-new-emir-of-the-faithful.php. 2019-11-01. live.
66. News: Associated Press. Not over yet: New US Syria mission after al-Baghdadi death.
67. Web site: Coalition continues operations to defeat Daesh in Syria. inherentresolve.mil. 23 November 2019.
68. News: U.S. Resumes Large-Scale Operations Against ISIS in Northern Syria. The New York Times. 25 November 2019.
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