ISIS is intensifying attacks on the Syrian Democratic Forces. Turkish threats affect the SDF’s compulsory conscription campaigns and the Autonomous Administration’s decisions. The number of victims of local armed infighting and indiscriminate shootings is rising. JFL researchers documented their work areas in Deir Ezzor governorate during July 2022.
Rise of the number of victims from indiscriminate use of weapons
Indiscriminate shooting:
JFL documented the killing of five people, 3 children, and 2 women, besides the injury of 6, including children, in an “indiscriminate” shooting in several towns and villages in Deir Ezzor.
A JFL female researcher documented the death of a woman in Al-Busayrah town in her house after an unidentified source shot her.
Regarding the killing of children, the JFL researcher in the East countryside documented the deaths of three children in the villages of Al-Jirthi, Darnach, and Jadid Akedat as a result of shootings at local events in the towns.
A JFL researcher in the Eastern Countryside documented the killing of a young woman in Dhiban town in an “indiscriminate” shooting. In detail, the young woman was on her way home when she was shot in the head, leading to her death.
Regarding the injuries, JFL female researcher in the western countryside reported two civilians were shot. The researcher said that one of the injured is a child in Zugheir village, and the other is a young man in Mohimida village. In the eastern countryside, three civilians were injured. The researcher confirmed that one of the injured was a child. The injured were from Al-Tayaneh and Darnach villages.
In Al-Busayrah, JFL female researcher said that one person was shot because of a clash between two armed groups that probably are from nearby locals in the area, near the Brehah crossing close to Al-Busayrah town. That crossing is used to smuggle flour and fuel.
Victims of Local Fighting
Several victims were killed in shootings at eight local disputes observed by JFL in different areas of Deir Ezzor. JFL researchers documented the death of 7 and two injured due to those incidents.
In Al-Hissan village in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor, JFL female researcher said that three people were killed following a dispute between a few people from the town. That incident led to halt movement in the town to reduce civilian casualties.
Also, in the western countryside, specifically in the villages of Mohimeda and Geneina, two people were killed in an armed clash. JFL female researcher in the area reported that the clashes occurred due to family disputes. The researcher documented several arson incidents in retail stores in Mohimeda town after the clash, which resulted in casualties.
In Abu Hamam town in the eastern countryside, at least one person was injured and taken to hospital. According to JFL researcher, the injury occurred due to using weapons in a brawl that turned into an armed clash between many young men in the town. And one person in Al-Shuhail town was shot during a clash between two families.
In Al-Bahra village in the east, two young people in their twenties were killed by gunfire between relatives, and at least two people were injured. One person was killed in Al-Sour town in Deir Ezzor’s northern countryside after his injury from a gunshot due to a brawl between two families.
Compulsory conscription campaigns and releasing detainees
Compulsory conscription
The SDF has launched a conscription campaign in its forces after the escalating Turkish threats of a military operation in northern and eastern Syria. According to JFL researchers in Deir Ezzor, military patrols have been deployed searching for conscripts for compulsory service according to the Self-Defense Act. The Autonomous Administration issued on July 6, 2022, a decision[1] requesting to provide the names of the staff wanted for compulsory conscription.
The Autonomous Administration requests the “self-defense duty” conscripts to join the self-defense centers.
Source: Facebook account of the Executive Council’s for northern and eastern Syria.
Releasing detainees from the Autonomous Administration/SDF prisons
In another case, JFL researchers documented the release of many detainees from the Autonomous Administration/SDF prisons. A person from Abu Hamam town was released after being detained for one month. Four people from Al-Busayrah town in the Deir Ezzor countryside were released; one of them is a mosque Imam. Someone from Al-Jirthi village was also released after two weeks of detention.
On July 28, 2022, the SDF released someone from Al-Zer village in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor after nearly a year in detention.
Intensive Security Operations and Protests
JFL has documented several security incidents, including many ISIS attacks on military and security positions. The SDF, backed by the coalition, carried out security raids and arrested many people.
Attacks Claimed by ISIS
ISIS claimed[2] three operations between July 3rd and July 5th 2022 near Al-Shuhail town. One of them killed at least one SDF personnel.
ISIS published[3] a statement claiming responsibility for targeting an SDF leader in Abu Hardoub town near Dhiban area.
An armed group stormed a sports field in Al-Hawaij village, east of Deir Ezzor. JFL researcher reported that the armed group killed at least one person. ISIS claimed[4] responsibility for the operation later, according to social media platforms close to ISIS.
Raids Carried out by the SDF and the Coalition
The SDF, backed by an international coalition helicopter, carried out a raid in Al-Zer village, east of Deir Ezzor, which led to the killing of an IDP.
Al-Busayrah and Abu Hamam towns witnessed tensions in July. A group of local residents attacked an SDF checkpoint in Al-Busayrah after an arrest campaign that led to arresting at least two people. In Abu Hamam, a demonstration took to the streets demanding raids, arbitrary arrests, and detentions to stop.
Killings by Unidentified Persons
JFL female researcher in Deir Ezzor’s western countryside said that the residents of Mohimeda village found two bodies identified as staff members of the Deir Ezzor Civil Council. The researcher said the bodies were in an abandoned house with traces of killing using a cold weapon.
Unidentified shooters shot a young man in Al-Hijna village, in Al-Su’ar district, killing him. According to a JFL researcher there are no further details yet known about the incident.
Targeting Public Buildings and Service Facilities
On July 11, 2022, an armed group attacked a medical waste incinerator, run by an international organization, in Al-Tayaneh village. According to JFL researcher, the facility was subject to damage and robbery, and yet the responsible for the operation is still unidentified.
Unidentified assailants targeted a water station in Al-Zer village, eastern countryside. According to JFL researcher, the station is a Deir Ezzor military council’s headquarters, which is associated with the SDF.
State of Emergency and Other Decisions
The Turkish threats to launch a military operation in northern and eastern Syria have affected the decisions of the Autonomous Administration/SDF. JFL monitored several decisions that are considered a preparation for any imminent military attack, in addition to the Administration’s attempts to control the repercussions of military threats.
On 6 July 2022, statement, the Autonomous Administration announced the state of emergency a statement because of the Turkish threats. The statement said: “Instructs to all councils, bodies, committees, and institutions in the Autonomous Administration of northern and eastern Syria, and the Civil and Autonomous Administrations to prepare contingency plans to confront threats and challenges.”
Photo of the statement issued by the Autonomous Administration
Source: Executive Council of Northern and Eastern Syria
In the same context, the Autonomous Administration circulated that those wishing to attend first aid courses should go to the hospitals and medical centers of the Administration. As a result of the Autonomous Administration’s preparations to confront any military emergency.
The Legislative Council in Deir Ezzor governorate reversed its decision to suspend the joint presidency of the Civil Council in Deir Ezzor and decided to extend its work for three months.
[1] JFL researchers reviewed the decision content and verified it by contacting local officials.
[2] ISIS claimed responsibility for the operations through an announcement published by the weekly Al-Naba newspaper in the issue (346) pages (8)
[3] ISIS claimed responsibility for the operation through an announcement published by the weekly Al-Naba newspaper in the issue (347) page (9)
[4] ISIS claimed responsibility for the operation through an announcement published by the weekly Al-Naba newspaper in the issue (347) page (9)
