JFL documented ten arrest cases over seven raids carried out by the SDF. The organization monitored several victims, including children, during eight local conflicts where firearms were used. Besides, JFL monitored electronic newspapers, close to ISIS, claiming several security operations that killed at least one civilian and many SDF members.

In October, the Autonomous Administration issued a series of decisions related to education, agriculture, and monthly salaries of the Administration’s institutes staff. On the other hand, demonstrations took place in various areas in Deir Ezzor, demanding improving the living conditions and services and the release of detainees in the SDF detention facilities.

Raids and Armed Attacks in Deir Ezzor

The SDF raided several areas in Deir Ezzor governorate, arresting at least ten people. Most operations documented by JFL were in the central countryside.

On October 1^st, the SDF forces arrested one person in Al-Sabha town in Al-Busayrah area, in the central countryside. According to the JFL researcher, the raiding forces accused the detainee of arms trafficking. The raiders summoned the international coalition aircraft during the operation. The researcher reported that the SDF conducted aviation-backed patrols the day after the operation in the same area in addition to the towns of Al-Busaira and Al-Zer. The SDF raided the area again on October 18^th and 26^th, arresting three people in Al-Zer town and one person in Abreha village without knowing the reason for the arrest yet.

Two people were killed and at least two arrested in a raid carried out by the SDF in “Al-Tukaihi” village in the central countryside of Deir Ezzor. The JFL researcher reported that the operation was supported by two international coalition helicopters and that the two dead were not identified.

In the western countryside of Deir Ezzor, the SDF arrested at least one person and raided several homes. According to JFL female researcher, the forces were searching for a group of drug dealers and fuel smugglers. The operation of October 6th involved Muhaimida town and Zaghir Jazira village.

An SDF leader was injured by an explosive device detonation in the central countryside of Deir Ezzor. According to sources that the JFL researcher interviewed, the device targeted a military vehicle in “Jadeed Okaidat” village, which led to the leader’s injury, then transferring him to a hospital for treatment.

Unknown assailants targeted the water pumping station of Al-Zer town, in the central countryside, which the SDF has turned into a military base since October 25^th. The operation was followed by clashes between the assailants and SDF members in the base. JFL did not document deaths or injuries in the operation.

A young man was killed in a village nearby Al- Busaira city on October 10^th. According to JFL researcher, the young man went missing a few days ago before he was found murdered. ISIS claimed[1] responsibility for the operation over media networks close to ISIS. Additionally, ISIS claimed murdering four people in three[2] operations in Deir Ezzor countryside. The JFL researcher reported that one of the dead is a civilian and the other two are SDF members. Also, two people survived an attack in “Busaira” city after they came under direct gunfire on October 5^th, which led to their injury.

On October 4^th, residents in Al-Jasimi village in the northern countryside of Al-Sour district found a body of a resident from the town. According to JFL researcher, gunfire marks were on the young man’s body. Besides, the residents of “Jazrat Albu Hamid” village in the western countryside found the body of an SDF member.

Local Conflicts Causing Deaths and Injuries

Local conflicts in October left 10 people dead, including a child, in various areas of Deir Ezzor. According to JFL researchers, most of the victims are from the eastern countryside. Seven people were injured, including a child, due to the use of weapons in local conflicts. It is worth mentioning that the cases of indiscriminate use of arms have significantly risen despite the deaths and injuries it causes.

In “Al-Shuhail” town, three people were killed (including a 10-year-old girl), and a 7-year-old boy was injured as a result of two clashes with light weapons between families in the town. According to JFL researcher in the area, the clashes erupted after disagreements between relatives from the same town where they used weapons indiscriminately, causing casualties.

A person was killed out of revenge reason in Sweidan town in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. A woman in Al-Hawij town in the eastern countryside was also shot after the town witnessed intense gunfire due to a local dispute.

In the adjacent villages of Gharanij and Abu Hamam in the eastern countryside, three people were killed and three others injured due to violent armed clashes in the two villages. In detail, JFL researcher said that three local conflicts in the two villages escalated, and firearms were used by several people, which led to this number of victims.

In the eastern countryside, specifically in “Al-Tayana” village and “Jadeed Okaidat” town, three people were killed in armed clashes between families from the two areas. According to local sources interviewed by JFL, the conflicts’ reason is old local disputes.

In the western countryside, at least two people were injured during a clash between two families in Al-Kasra town. Before the armed clashes, there was a brawl between a group of young people. This escalated to an armed clash and caused casualties.

The Administration Decisions and Demonstrations

The Autonomous Administration issued a series of new circulars and decisions, some of them sparked local controversy and protests.

On October 23^rd, the Education Authority issued Circular No. 10, which prohibited the use of violence and intimidation at schools as well as using mobile phones. The circular emphasized on adhering to wearing the uniform in classrooms and preventing the Niqab in school campuses. Demonstrations took to the streets in many areas against the clause on the prohibition of wearing Niqab. These demonstrations occur concurrently with other demonstrations in the eastern and western countryside with various demands. There were demonstrations in the villages of “Muhaimida” and “Al-Hisan” demanding the release of detainees in the SDF detention facilities. The demonstrators burned tires as they blocked the roads. On October 21^st, the western countryside witnessed mass demonstrations in many villages and towns, called by “Friday of Dignity” where demonstrators demanded to end raising diesel prices and to increase the amount of wheat flour allocated to bakeries, as well as the restructuring of the Civil Council and the appointment of competent officials.

The Agriculture and Irrigation Authority of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration issued Resolution No. 3 of October 19^th, allowing the export of yellow corn from the Autonomous Administration areas. The Authority justified its decision by its inability to buy the yellow corn crop from farmers in its areas of control.

On October 30^th, the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration announced a salary raise for the Administration staff. The decision No. (384) stipulated that the raise amounted to 100 thousand Syrian Pounds; equivalent to 20 USD. The decision stated that the increase is considered valid from October 1^st, specifying the workers’ contracts included in this raise.

[1] ISIS claimed the operation over Al-Naba Electronic Newspaper Number (360) page (9).

[2] The first operation, on October 19^th, was claimed by ISIS through Al-Naba Electronic Newspaper Number No. (361) page (8). The second operation on October 23^rd was claimed by ISIS over the same newspaper in issue (362) page (7).