The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced that one of its fighters was killed and two others wounded in an attack it attributed to Islamic State (ISIS) militants on one of its patrols in the town of al-Muhaymidah (western Deir Ezzor), on Friday evening, September 16.

An Enab Baladi correspondent in Deir Ezzor reported that unidentified gunmen opened fire on SDF members but noted it had not been confirmed that the attackers belonged to ISIS. The assault left one fighter dead and others injured.

According to the SDF statement, the attackers arrived on motorcycles and used automatic weapons, sparking clashes before fleeing the area. The SDF said the incident was part of the group’s “futile attempts” to destabilize its areas, taking advantage of the security vacuum in Syria following the fall of the former regime.

It stressed that its forces continue to pursue ISIS cells, aiming to “strike with an iron fist” to cut off the group’s resources and safeguard civil peace.

Clashes with Syrian army

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said its positions in eastern Deir Ezzor came under attack on September 14, while an Enab Baladi correspondent reported that SDF fighters had targeted a river ferry, sparking clashes with Syrian army troops.

In a statement on Facebook, the SDF said its units stationed on the banks of the Euphrates River near the al-Ashara Bridge in the town of Darnaj (eastern Deir Ezzor) were attacked by armed groups affiliated with the Syrian government, which it accused of covering smuggling operations across the river.

According to the correspondent, SDF fighters opened fire on a ferry with light and medium weapons, killing a civilian. The incident provoked anger among local tribes, residents, and Syrian Defense Ministry personnel, leading to armed clashes between the two sides.

Syrian army forces and tribal fighters reportedly captured several SDF members, prompting the SDF to send in reinforcements of 15 armored vehicles and shell the town of Darnaj.

The SDF said its forces had begun taking field measures to counter the assault, stressing that developments were ongoing. It reiterated its commitment to safeguarding stability in its areas, blaming the Syrian government for facilitating smuggling activities that undermine regional security.

On September 12, the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), affiliated with the Autonomous Administration, said unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle attacked one of its checkpoints in Darnaj.

Earlier, on August 31, the Asayish said it had thwarted a suicide attack by a suspected Islamic State (ISIS) cell on one of its military posts in northern Raqqa. One attacker detonated himself after being wounded in clashes, while the second was killed.

Raids and arrests

On September 13, the SDF carried out a raid-and-arrest campaign in the eastern Deir Ezzor towns of Jadid Akidat and al-Shuhail, detaining six people, according to Enab Baladi’s correspondent.