In August 2022, JFL documented the death and injury of many people, including children. Also, JFL documented attacks by ISIS in various areas of Deir Ezzor.
In August, there were many demonstrations protesting the economic and service conditions. JFL also observed vandalism by unknown assailants of several schools in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor.
The Widespread Use of Weapons Led to Many Victims
In August 2022, JFL documented the killing of 7 people, including a child, and the injury of 5, including two children, as a result of the indiscriminate use of weapons during local events and conflicts where guns were used.
Shooting during Local Events
A child was killed by gunfire during a local event in Al-Jirthi town in the eastern countryside. JFL researcher mentioned that gunfire was shot in the air during a wedding. A child was accidentally shot dead by a bullet.
In “Al-Shannan” village, “Theeban” district, a child was injured in a local wedding where several people used weapons to express their joy.
Victims in local disputes
In the western countryside of Deir Ezzor, “As-Sawa” village witnessed an armed clash between two families from the village. JFL researcher in the western countryside reported that the clash occurred between a number of relatives, which led to injuring at least two people. In the western countryside, specifically in “Al-H”ssan” village, one person was killed in a clash between two families from the village.
JFL researcher documented the killing of a child in “Hawij Al-Bumasa’a” village in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor and said that a clash occurred between several people in the village as a result of a local conflict where the parties to the conflict used light weapons, which led to the injury and death of the child.
Days after the incident in “As-Sawa” village, 3 people were killed, and one person was injured in “Al-Shuhail” town in the western countryside. JFL researcher in the Eastern Countryside said that local dispute took place in the town, and light weapons were used. The researcher also suggested that at least one rocket was launched during the clashes, which caused a high number of victims. In “Al-Bhara” town, in the eastern countryside, residents found the body of a decapitated person. JFL researcher said that the victim is a local resident and reported that several local sources suggested that revenge was the motive behind the murder. A person in “Gharanij” village was also shot dead by unknown assailants, and local sources suggested to JFL researcher that there were motives for revenge behind the incident.
SDF Raids and ISIS Attacks
The SDF carried out a large-scale raid in several neighborhoods of “Theeban” district center in the east and a number of villages in the western countryside, including “Al-H’ssan” and “Al-Jneina,” and imposed a security cordon. The campaign reason is unknown. The raiding forces seized many cars and burned several motorcycles. JFL researchers in the eastern and western countryside said that activists from the region reported that the SDF was searching for people coordinating with pro-Syrian government militias. However, that information was not confirmed. According to JFL researcher, the raids concluded, and the security cordon was lifted after a meeting between SDF military leaders and many local notables.
In a separate incident, JFL researcher said that at least one person was killed in “Theeban” district center by the SDF during a chase to arrest him. Following that incident, many people attacked an SDF military point in the area.
ISIS claimed[1] responsibility for operations in Deir Ezzor during August. ISIS claimed the killing of a person in “Al-Busayrah” town. Furthermore, the JFL researcher said that residents found a body that belonged to someone who was kidnapped a few days ago by a group of masked gunmen.
At least one SDF member was killed in “Abu Hamam” village during an SDF raid on several river crossings used to smuggle goods.
ISIS claimed[2] responsibility for several attacks on SDF patrols and military checkpoints, killing at least one SDF member.
A staff of the Social Justice Bureau, the court, was killed in “Al-Kasra” town in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor. JFL researcher said that anonymous assailants carried out the operation on a motorcycle. They shot direct gunfire, which led to the immediate killing of the staff member.
Demonstrations in many areas in Deir Ezzor
JFL researchers monitored many demonstrations that demanded improving the service and economic conditions in the SDF controlled areas. Additionally, many demonstrations took to the streets in rejection of calls for reconciliation with the Syrian government.
In “Al-Izbah” village in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor, many protestors blocked roads on August 2, 2022, protesting the detention of their relatives. The protestors burned tires, and the blocking of roads lasted several hours. The demonstration was in response to raiding campaigns carried out by the SDF. On 14 August, the village witnessed another demonstration in rejection of reconciliation with the Syrian government, which is due to the escalation of calls by some governments for a new dialogue path between the opposition and the Syrian government. Also, in “Muhaimida” village, in the western countryside, many people demonstrated against the detention of activists from the village.
In “Jarzat Al-Bu’hmaid” village in the western countryside, the relatives of one of the detainees from the village demonstrated against his arrest. The demonstration escalated to clashing with the SDF security forces.
In a protest of some of the Autonomous Administration’s decisions in Deir Ezzor, a demonstration took place in “Al-H’ssan” village in the western countryside in rejection of the dismissal of an official in one of the Civil Council committees. Besides, several people demonstrated in front of the Civil Council of the Autonomous Administration headquarters to protest the reduction of fuel and flour allocations to Deir Ezzor governorate.
Attacks on Schools
The incidents of attacking schools repeat in various areas of Deir Ezzor. JFL published a report on the status of education in the governorate. The teachers, with whom JFL researchers met, mentioned that the attacks on schools repeat. The teachers demanded that schools be protected by employing guards.
Photo from Al-Nmaysa school in Abu Hamam village – The photo date is August 12th , 2022
The source of the photo is a school worker.
According to JFL researchers, school attackers break windows, doors, furniture, storage, and boards. The researcher reported that on August 12th , a school in Abu Hammm village was vandalized and robbed by unknown assailants.
Photo from of Al-Ouaidiyah school in Al-Kishkiyah village – The photo date is August 7th , 2022
The source of the photos is a school worker.
Services, Official Decisions and Procedures
The Autonomous Administration’s Executive Council in Deir Ezzor issued a circular to affiliated councils requesting to report the names and information of everyone holding press status in those councils as soon as possible. The circular issued on 4 August stated that the goal is “to organize work and improve its functioning.”
The Agriculture and Irrigation Authority set the price of wheat seeds. Under decision No. (2) issued on August 13, 2022, the Authority said that the price of sterilized seeds is (2,300) Syrian pounds for farmers and (2,500) Syrian pounds for contractors with the Public Establishment for Seed Multiplication.
A copy of the Agriculture and Irrigation Authority’s decision –Source: Autonomous Administration Facebook page.
The Education Committee of the Civil Council of Deir Ezzor approved the restructuring of many educational complexes. The approval was issued on 16 August 2022, and included “Hajin” Educational Center, the “Euphrates” Educational Center, and “Al-Susa” Educational Center.
[1] ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks through an announcement published in the weekly Al-Naba electronic newspaper in issue 350, page 6.
[2] ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks through an announcement published in the weekly electronic newspaper Al-Naba in issue 351, page 5. Also, ISIS claimed on issue 352 the responsibility for another operation on page 8. Besides, Al-Naba newspaper announced ISIS responsibility for an operation in issue 352, page 7.
