Islamic State regroups in Syrian Kurdish region
Islamic State cells carry out assassinations against the SDF in the SDF-controlled countryside of Deir ez-Zor on an almost daily basis, affecting some civilians and tribal leaders close to the SDF.
![838947578 Members of the Deir Ezzor Military Council (DEMC), a coalition of Arab tribes and fighters that belongs to the broader US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, stand in line during an announcement by their leader, Ahmed Abu Khawlah (bottom-C), in the town of Shadadi, about 60 kilometres (37 miles) south of the northeastern Syrian city of Hassakeh, on August 25, 2017.
The US-backed Arab and Kurdish fighters said on August 25, 2017 that they would launch an offensive "very soon" to oust the Islamic State (IS) grou](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2020/11/GettyImages-838947578_1.jpg/GettyImages-838947578_1.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=j7G1THDu)
IDLIB, Syria — Cells affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) have been carrying out assassinations against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Deir ez-Zor, in eastern Syria. These cells have become widely active since the beginning of 2020 after their activities had subsided following the loss of their last stronghold, al-Baghouz, in eastern Deir ez-Zor in early 2019.
IS’ operations have varied since losing ground in the face of the US-backed SDF. They started with attacking checkpoints and centers affiliated with the SDF and turned to assassinating SDF operatives or collaborators with the SDF and planting roadside bombs to target the SDF.