📰 Civilian killed, SDF officer injured in Deir ez-Zor ISIS attack

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – One civilian was killed and four others, including a senior commander in the Syrian Democratic troops (SDF), were injured on Saturday in an attack carried out by cells of the Islamic State (ISIS) in northern Deir ez-Zor, as per an SDF armed forces source. The source informed North Press that ISIS gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on a vehicle belonging to Salem al-Hamada, an SDF official responsible for armed forces relations in Deir ez-Zor, while he was traveling on the main road near the town of al-Takihi in the northern countryside of the governorate. Notably, “The attack resulted in the injury of al-Hamada and two of his escorts,” the source stated. “A young man was killed and a woman was injured after they were caught near the site of the shooting at the time of the incident. ” as per the source, the assailants chanted slogans associated with ISIS before fleeing toward the desert areas.

The source added that this was the third assassination attempt targeting al-Hamada since the beginning of the current year. Al-Hamada is originally from the town of al-Namliyah in northern Deir ez-Zor. The attack comes amid persisted security operations by the SDF across Deir ez-Zor aimed at dismantling ISIS sleeper cells that remain active in parts of eastern Syria.

Despite the territorial defeat of the group in 2019, ISIS continues to rely on hit-and-run attacks, particularly using motorcycles and minor arms, to target security personnel and civilians. The SDF, backed by the US-led Global Coalition, maintains a strong security presence in the region and works in coordination with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) to ensure stability and protect local communities. These efforts include regular patrols, intelligence-led operations, and cooperation with residents to prevent the resurgence of extremist activity.

Additionally, local security sources have repeatedly stressed that such attacks will not disrupt ongoing counterterrorism efforts, noting that the SDF has intensified measures to pursue ISIS cells operating in rural and desert areas of Deir ez-Zor. By Atoun Jan