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The ISIS-linked news agency, Amaq, claimed that ISIS cells killed and injured a number of fighters of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in two attacks in the southern Deir Ezzor countryside on March 22.
According to Amaq, ISIS cells opened fire at a gathering of SDF personnel near the town of Diban killing at least five of them. Later, the terrorists killed three more fighters of the Kurdish-dominated group in the outskirt of the town of Khasham in the same way.
“We will, God’s willing, continue to harden the lives of the apostates and their supporters,” a short statement released by Amaq on March 23 reads.
These attacks were a clear threat to the SDF, who had announced the complete defeat of ISIS in Syria. The group made its bold announcement after capturing the last ISIS stronghold in the Middle Euphrates River Valley.
The SDF had anticipated that ISIS cells will step up their activates in northeastern Syria after receiving a humiliating defeat in the Euphrates Valley. Despite this, the group and its main backer, the US-led coalition, are yet to increase their security measures.
