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.
A fighter from the SDF carries a book on Islamic criminal legislation said to have belonged to the Islamic State, recovered in Baghuz, Syria, on March 13, 2020.
A fighter from the Syrian Democratic Forces carries a book on Islamic criminal legislation said to have belonged to the Islamic State, recovered in the eastern Syrian village of Baghuz on March 13, 2020, a year after the fall of the Islamic State caliphate. - DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images
sultanalkanj.jpg
Sultan al-Kanj
@AlkanjSultan

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.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 for annual access.

Videos

See more