Islamic State ramps up activities in eastern Syria
Islamic State is applying Sharia rules in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor and imposing taxes on residents by force of arms.
The Islamic State (IS) carries out almost daily operations in Deir ez-Zor against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the civilians it accuses of cooperating with the Kurdish forces. IS is also imposing taxes on shop owners, doctors and others by threatening them with murder and kidnapping via WhatsApp messages.
Furthermore, IS is constantly attacking Kurdish forces' checkpoints and barricades, forcing the SDF to retaliate with large-scale security and military operations against its cells in eastern Deir ez-Zor.
On Dec. 14, 2021, IS claimed responsibility for separate attacks that targeted SDF checkpoints in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, in addition to a command headquarters in al-Jarthi east of Deir ez-Zor.
On Telegram, IS said its forces targeted two SDF checkpoints — one in Dhiban and the other in Suwaidan east of Deir ez-Zor — with grenades and machine guns. IS also targeted several positions on the bridge road in Darnaj with machine guns. The group claimed responsibility for several previous attacks on SDF military headquarters in al-Busaira in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.
