The Eastern Syria insurgency is an armed

insurgency An insurgency is a violent, armed rebellion by small, lightly armed bands who practice guerrilla warfare against a larger authority. The key descriptive feature of insurgency is its asymmetric warfare, asymmetric nature: small irregular forces ...

being waged by remnants of the

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant The Islamic State (IS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Daesh, is a transnational Salafi jihadist organization and unrecognized quasi-state. IS occupied signi ...

(ISIL) and both pro and anti-

Syrian government The government of Syria takes place in a presidential system and is currently in a transitionary period under and led by a transitional government. The seat of the government is located in Damascus, Syria. On 8 December 2024, after the succ ...

Arab nationalist Arab nationalism () is a political ideology asserting that Arabs constitute a single nation. As a traditional nationalist ideology, it promotes Arab culture and civilization, celebrates Arab history, the Arabic language and Arabic literatur ...

insurgents, against the

Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), also known as Rojava, is a ''de facto'' Autonomous administrative division, autonomous region in northeastern Syria. It consists of self-governing Regions of North and E ...

(AANES), its military (the

Syrian Democratic Forces The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is a Kurds in Syria, Kurdish-led coalition of U.S.-backed Left-wing politics, left-wing ethnic militias and rebel groups, and serves as the official military wing of the Democratic Autonomous Administration ...

(SDF)), and their allies in the US-led

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF–OIR) is a multinational military formation established by the U.S.-led international coalition against the Islamic State with the stated aim to "degrade and destroy" the organi ...

(CJTF–OIR) coalition.

Background

The insurgency began after a series of campaigns in 2016 and 2017 which took territory from the

, led by the

and the CJTF-OIR. This eventually resulted in the taking of the Islamic State capital of

Raqqa Raqqa (, also , Kurdish language, Kurdish: ''Reqa'') is a city in Syria on the North bank of the Euphrates River, about east of Aleppo. It is located east of the Tabqa Dam, Syria's largest dam. The Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine city and b ...

, and other areas in the

Aleppo Aleppo is a city in Syria, which serves as the capital of the Aleppo Governorate, the most populous Governorates of Syria, governorate of Syria. With an estimated population of 2,098,000 residents it is Syria's largest city by urban area, and ...

and

Deir ez-Zor Governorate Deir ez-Zor Governorate ( / ALA-LC: ''Muḥāfaẓat Dayr az-Zawr,'' Kurdish'':'' ''Parêzgeha Dêrezor'') is one of the fourteen governorates (provinces) of Syria. It is situated in eastern Syria, bordering Iraq. It has an area of 33,060 k ...

s. These are Arab-majority areas, often with large Turkmen minorities, some of whom resented the

Kurd Kurds (), or the Kurdish people, are an Iranian peoples, Iranic ethnic group from West Asia. They are indigenous to Kurdistan, which is a geographic region spanning southeastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, northern Iraq, and northeastern Syri ...

ish influence in the SDF. Multiple factions, made up mostly of Arabs, have formed armed groups in support of either the

Syrian opposition Syrians () are the majority inhabitants of Syria, indigenous to the Levant, most of whom have Arabic, especially its Levantine and Mesopotamian dialects, as a mother tongue. The cultural and linguistic heritage of the Syrian people is a blend ...

or Syrian government, with additional Islamic State remnants operating as clandestine cells who have emerged in areas captured by the SDF and the coalition during the 2016-2017 campaigns. These groups have also utilized guerilla tactics to target the SDF and Coalition forces, including assassinations, hit and run attacks, rocket attacks and use of

improvised explosive devices An improvised explosive device (IED) is a bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional warfare, conventional military action. It may be constructed of conventional military explosives, such as an artillery shell, attached t ...

(IEDs). Attacks have occurred in cities across Rojava, including

Manbij Manbij (; ; ) is a city in the northeast of Aleppo Governorate in northern Syria, west of the Euphrates. The 2004 census gives its population as nearly 100,000.

, Raqqa and

Hasakah Al-Hasakah (; / ; ) is a city in northeastern Syria and the capital of the Al-Hasakah Governorate. With a 2023 estimated population of 422,445, Al-Hasakah is populated by Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians and a smaller number of Armenians and Chechens. Al ...

Insurgent factions

*Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant: Following the loss of most of its territory, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has launched a desert-based insurgency, while simultaneously attempting to rally elements of the civilian population to its cause. By attacking SDF-backed civil authorities, it undermines the latter's reputation and worsens existing grievances, resulting in a deteriorating security situation. It is unclear how many active ISIL fighters still operate in Syria, but they probably number several thousands. *Assad loyalists: Various pro-

Ba'athist Ba'athism, also spelled Baathism, is an Arab nationalist ideology which advocates the establishment of a unified Arab state through the rule of a Ba'athist vanguard party operating under a revolutionary socialist framework. The ideology ...

groups operate in eastern Syria, including the " Popular Resistance of the Eastern Region" (founded in February 2018 in Raqqa), the "Popular Resistance in Hasakah" (founded in April 2018), and the "Popular Resistance in Manbij" (founded in June 2018). These groups are reportedly supported by

Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...

, and elements of the

Syrian Armed Forces The Syrian Armed Forces () are the military forces of Syria. Up until the fall of Bashar al-Assad's Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region, Ba'ath Party Ba'athist Syria, regime in December 2024, the Syrian Arab Armed Forces were the sta ...

such as the Baqir Brigade. The SDF and AANES government have accused Iran of organizing assassinations in SDF-held areas, attempting to turn locals against the SDF and American-led Coalition presence. After the fall of the Assad regime, the SDF took action against the remaining Ba'athist insurgents.

Timeline

2017

*November – Harakat al-Qiyam attempted to assassinate SDF commander Muhammad Abu Adel with an IED in

Manbij Manbij (; ; ) is a city in the northeast of Aleppo Governorate in northern Syria, west of the Euphrates. The 2004 census gives its population as nearly 100,000.

, leaving him injured.

2018

*5 April – The Popular Resistance claimed to have carried out a mortar or rocket attack on a U.S. base at

Ayn Issa Ayn Issa (also Ain Issa; , "Eye of Jesus"; ) is a town in the Tell Abyad District of Raqqa Governorate in Syria and a capital for the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. It is located halfway between the Syria–Turkey border town o ...

. *6 April – The Baqir Brigade vowed to aid the pro-government insurgency in territories held by U.S.-allied forces. *17 May – U.S. special forces arrested ISIL commanders following an air drop near the Iraqi border in al-Hasakah Governorate. *17 August - A Base housing US and French Special Forces near

Deir ez-Zor Deir ez-Zor () is the largest city in eastern Syria and the seventh largest in the country. Located on the banks of the Euphrates to the northeast of the capital Damascus, Deir ez-Zor is the capital of the Deir ez-Zor Governorate. In the 2018 ...

was attacked by ISIL members. The attack was repelled and at least seven jihadist were killed *2 September – 5 SDF militiamen were killed and wounded by an IED planted in

. *31 October – The Turkish military and SDF began clashes with stated future goals of a Turkish-led operation in Manbij. The fighting lasted one week, with the United States responding by establishing observation posts in Manbij to prevent further violence. *2 November – ISIL gunmen assassinated the prominent tribal leader Sheikh Basheer Faisal al-Huwaidi in broad daylight in the city of Raqqa. *4 November – A

car bomb A car bomb, bus bomb, van bomb, lorry bomb, or truck bomb, also known as a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), is an improvised explosive device designed to be detonated in an automobile or other vehicles. Car bombs can be roug ...

exploded in the city of Raqqa, killing at least one person and injuring ten more people, which included members of the SDF. ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack through its

Amaq News Agency Amaq News Agency () is a news outlet linked to the Islamic State (IS). Amaq is often the "first point of publication for claims of responsibility" for terrorist attacks in Western countries by the Islamic State. In March 2019, Amaq News Agency w ...

. *4 December – YPG claimed to have arrested four members of Harakat al-Qiyam, allegedly collaborating with Turkish intelligence. US M-ATVs

2019

January–March

*January – the founder of the Arab Ahwaz Brigade, an Arab

Free Syrian Army The Free Syrian Army (FSA; ) is a Big tent, big-tent coalition of decentralized Syrian opposition (2011–2024), Syrian opposition rebel groups in the Syrian civil war founded on 29 July 2011 by Colonel Riad al-Asaad and six officers who defe ...

group from Deir ez-Zor, was killed by an IED planted by ISIL in Deir ez-Zor. He reportedly joined the

and became involved with its Deir ez-Zor Military Council serving as a leader in the council. *16 January – the Manbij bombing killed 15 Manbij Military Council (MMC) fighters and four US soldiers. ISIL claimed the attack through its news agency Amaq. *21 January – an ISIL suicide SVBIED targeted a US convoy accompanied by SDF troops on the Shadadi-

road in the

Jazira Region The Jazira Region, formerly Jazira Canton (; ; ), is the largest of the three original regions of the de facto Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). As part of the ongoing Rojava conflict, its democratic autonomy was off ...

, killing five SDF personnel. Witnesses say the SVBIED rammed into an SDF vehicle by a checkpoint held by Kurdish forces a dozen kilometers outside Shadadi as the US convoy drove past. *7 February – the SDF media center announced the capture of 63 ISIL operatives in

, part of a sleeper cell. They were all arrested within a 24-hour period, ending the day-long curfew that had been imposed on the city the day before. *9 February – ISIL militants attacked SDF fighters near the al-Omar oilfield, triggering airstrikes by the U.S.-led Coalition. SOHR said 12 Islamic State fighters attacked the SDF and clashed with them for several hours until most of the attackers were killed. Ten attackers were reportedly killed, while two managed to flee. Other activist collectives, including the Step news agency, reported the attack, saying some of the attackers used motorcycles rigged with explosives. *21 February – two successive SVBIEDs detonated in the market area of Shahil, Syria - 10 kilometers from the SDF's al-Omar oilfield HQ - killing 14 people. SOHR reported a car bomb that was detonated remotely as a convoy of workers and technicians that worked at the oilfield was passing by. SOHR said 20 were killed and others wounded. SVBIED attacks were also reported in Afrin and the village of Ghandura near

Jarablus Jarabulus (, ALA-LC: , Aleppo dialect: ; or ; ) is a Syrian city administratively belonging to Aleppo Governorate, under the de facto control of the Syrian Opposition. Jarabulus lies on the western bank of the Euphrates and north of Lake Assad ...

. *9 March – eight people were wounded when a suicide bomber blew up a car in Manbij, near a market. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. *14 March – an IED in Raqqa targeted a US military convoy. Al-Masdar reported that the pro-Syrian government Popular Resistance of Raqqa group claimed responsibility and that they had killed SDF fighters and injured U.S. soldiers, but that these claims could not be independently verified and that neither the US nor SDF confirmed the reports. *26 March – ISIL gunmen opened fire on a checkpoint in

Manbij Manbij (; ; ) is a city in the northeast of Aleppo Governorate in northern Syria, west of the Euphrates. The 2004 census gives its population as nearly 100,000.

, killing seven MMC fighters.

April–June

*3 April – An ISIL cell clashed with the SDF and the Asayish in Raqqa, with 4 ISIL fighters blowing themselves with explosive belts, according to SOHR. *5 April – About 200 ISIL detainees revolted and attempted to escape from Dêrik prison in

al-Malikiyah Al-Malikiyah (; ; ) also known as Derik, is a city in northeastern Syria and the center of an administrative district belonging to Al-Hasakah Governorate. The district constitutes the northeastern corner of the country, and is where the Syrian ...

. The breakout was foiled, and some of the prisoners were subsequently distributed to other detention centers. *10 April – ISIL cells attacked SDF fighters at a checkpoint in rural Deir Ez Zor on the outskirts of the town of al-Shuhayl, the cell reportedly used machine guns and

RPGs RPG may refer to: Military * Rocket-propelled grenade, a shoulder-launched anti-tank weapon **''Ruchnoi Protivotankoviy Granatomyot'' (Russian: ''Ручной Противотанковый Гранатомёт''), hand-held anti-tank grenade laun ...

during the attack, as part of a global campaign launched by ISIL, which the group has called "The campaign in revenge for the blessed Province of the Levant" after losing territorial control in Syria after the

Battle of Baghuz Fawqani The Battle of Baghuz Fawqani was an offensive by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), assisted by Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) coalition airstrikes, artillery, and special forces personnel, that began on 9 ...

, which has prompted the group to carry out a series of attacks around the world where the group has a presence, as well as encouraging supporters to carry out lone wolf attacks in their countries, other attacks related to the group's call for vengeance have occurred in

Libya Libya, officially the State of Libya, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to Egypt–Libya border, the east, Sudan to Libya–Sudan border, the southeast, Chad to Chad–L ...

and

Iraq Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to Iraq–Saudi Arabia border, the south, Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq border, the east, the Persian Gulf and ...

. *12 April – ISIL claimed responsibility for an attack in Manbij against members of the SDF. *23 April – Major protests began in the cities of

Al-Busayrah Al-Busayrah () is a town in eastern Syria, administratively part of the Deir ez-Zor Governorate. The town is located, at the confluence of the Euphrates and Khabur Rivers, southeast of Deir ez-Zor. Nearby localities include Muhassan to the nort ...

and Shuhail in the eastern part of the

in opposition to SDF and Kurdish rule. *7 May – A senior commander in the SDFs' Deir ez-Zor military council claimed that Iran, Turkey, and the Syrian government are collaborating to destabilize SDF controlled areas with fighters from

Operation Euphrates Shield Operation Euphrates Shield () was an offensive by the Turkish Armed Forces and the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army, which led to the Turkish occupation of northern Syria. Operations were carried out in the region between the Euphrates river to th ...

and

al-Nusra Al-Nusra Front or Jabhat al-Nusra or Jabhat Nusrat Ahl al-Sham, also known as Front for the Conquest of the Levant, and also later known as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham was a Salafi-jihadist organization that fought against Ba'athist Syria, Ba'athist ...

remnant cells in eastern Syria. The commander also claimed there is ideological support for ISIL and al-Nusra among the local populations, particularly in the towns of Jadidat Agidat, Shehail, and Basira, which is a hub for Deir ez-Zor's tribes and has also been the site for recent protests against SDF administration. The commander also claimed that the SDF had foiled 180 attempted attacks against SDF, and claimed that Turkey and the Syrian Government provide support for these attacks. *11 May – Unidentified gunmen attacked a YPG headquarters in the western part of the town of Shuhail, where ongoing protests against the SDF were occurring. *30 May – U.S. special forces arrested 15 ISIL members following an air drop in Qana village in al-Hasakah Governorate.

July–September

*1 July – U.S. special forces arrested two ISIL commanders following an air drop in Attala village in al-Hasakah Governorate. *7 July – SDF forces arrested at least 30 people and confiscated their belongings in Al-Izba village in Deir ez-Zor Governorate. On the same day, U.S. special forces arrested an ISIL commander after encircling his house in Al-Harijiyeh village in Deir Ezzor Governorate. *12 July – U.S. special forces killed an ISIL commander in the area between al-Suwar and Abu al-Nitel village. *14 July – According to Al-Masdar, the SDF and U.S. special forces killed ISIL's oil minister Thabit Sobhi Fahd Al-Ahmad during a raid somewhere in Deir ez-Zor Governorate. *25 July – SDF forces arrested 8 ISIS members within the east Euphrates area. *1 September – The SDF's

Anti-Terror Units The Anti-Terror Units (, short: YAT, ) are the special forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces, consisting of the best trained and equipped members of the People's Protection Units (YPG) and Women's Protection Units (YPJ). They were led by the Sy ...

captured Mohammed Remedan Eyd al-Talah, ISIL's chief financial officer, during a raid in ash-Shahil, Deir ez-Zor Governorate.

October–December

*October – The U.S. withdrew from many of its bases in northern Syria in early October, substantially reducing its presence there and disrupting anti-ISIL operations. Nevertheless, the U.S., with Kurdish, Turkish and Iraqi assistance, conducted a successful high-stakes special operations raid in Barisha,

Idlib Idlib (, ; also spelt Idleb or Edlib) is a city in northwestern Syria, and is the capital of the Idlib Governorate. It has an elevation of nearly above sea level, and is southwest of Aleppo. It is located near the border with Turkey. History ...

targeting ISIL Caliph

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Ibrahim Awwad Ibrahim Ali al-Badri (28 July 1971 – 27 October 2019), commonly known by his ''nom de guerre'' Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was an Iraqi militant leader who was the founder and first leader of the Islamic State (IS), who proclaimed hims ...

; the raid resulted in Baghdadi's death and ISIL selecting a new leader/Caliph Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi. By the end of October, the U.S. had adopted a subordinate mission to protect SDF-controlled oil and gas infrastructure, including oil fields, from the ISIL insurgency as the insurgent group had previously used profits from oil smuggling to fund its activities. The U.S. deployed

mechanized infantry Mechanized infantry are infantry units equipped with Armoured personnel carrier, armored personnel carriers (APCs) or infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for transport and combat (see also armoured corps). As defined by the United States Army, me ...

units for the first time in its intervention to "reinforce" its presence in eastern Syria and to assist its continuing anti-ISIL insurgency mission. *22 November – Coalition forces accompanied by allies attacked ISIL enclaves near the Iraqi border, which reportedly resulted in multiple ISIL fighters being killed and wounded. While up to 600 ISIL fighters are thought to be defending a small pocket stronghold in Syria's eastern province of Deir ez-Zor. *26 November – A car bomb went off in an area under the control of Turkish and allied rebel forces west of

Ras al-Ayn Ras al-Ayn (, , ), also spelled Ras al-Ain, is a city in al-Hasakah Governorate in northeastern Syria, on the Syria–Turkey border. One of the oldest cities in Upper Mesopotamia, the area of Ras al-Ayn has been inhabited since at least the Neol ...

, killing at least 17 people and injuring 20 others. The attack happened at a local village market. The Turkish government blamed YPG and PKK for the attack. * Overall - During the year ISIS attacks left, 280 SDF fighters, 131 civilians and four CJTF-OIR soldiers killed.

2020

January–March

*1 January – 16 ISIS fighters were captured during a raid in

by the Coalition forces. *14 January – SDF managed to kill two ISIL members, including Abu Alward Al-Iraqi, who was responsible for oil trading, in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate. *17 January – During an explosion targeting an SDF vehicle in Abu Hardub village in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, one SDF member was killed and one more injured. *27 January – Coalition Bradley IFVs were pulled out of Syria after less than two month of deployment due to unspecified reasons. *11 February – U.S. special forces arrested 3 suspected ISIL members following an air drop in ash-Shahil, Deir ez-Zor Governorate.

April–June

*17 May – Two regional ISIS leaders, Ahmad 'Isa Ismail al-Zawi and Ahmad 'Abd Muhammad Hasan al-Jughayfi, were killed by coalition forces in Deir Ezzor Governorate. *22 May – U.S. special forces killed an ISIL commander and arrested another following an air drop in ash-Shahil, Deir ez-Zor Governorate. *26 May – The Iraqi counter-terrorism agency announced that a U.S. airstrike managed to kill Mu'taz Numan 'Abd Nayif Najm al-Jaburi, a senior leader and bomb-maker in ISIS, in Deir Ezzor Governorate. The U.S.

Rewards for Justice Program Rewards for Justice Program (RFJ) is United States Department of State's national security interagency program that offers reward for information leading to the location or an arrest of leaders of terrorist groups, financiers of terrorism, inclu ...

used to offer up to $5 million reward to information that would bring him to justice. *29 June – U.S. special forces arrested suspected ISIL members following an air drop in ash-Shahil, Deir ez-Zor Governorate.

July–December

ISIL militants reportedly continued to routinely extort doctors, shop owners, heads of factories, landowners, and many others to pay them

zakat Zakat (or Zakāh زكاة) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Zakat is the Arabic word for "Giving to Charity" or "Giving to the Needy". Zakat is a form of almsgiving, often collected by the Muslim Ummah. It is considered in Islam a relig ...

. *October 2020 – SDF announced plans to free thousands of Syrians held at the al-Hawl refugee camp. * Overall - During the year 480 ISIS attacks left, 122 SDF fighters and 86 civilians killed.

2021

*11 January – Three people including a former Asayish member were assassinated by unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle near

, Deir ez-Zor Governorate. *10 May – An SDF member was assassinated in al-Busaiteen, near the town of al-Suwar, meanwhile four SDF members were killed when ISIS militants opened fire on their bus in Al-Kabar, western countryside of Deir ez-Zor. *13 August – U.S. coalition conducted a special operation to arrest an ISIS militant in Mahamida near Abu Khashab, Deir ez-Zor. *13 December - The SDF stated that counter-terrorism forces had killed five members of an ISIL cell hiding in

al-Busayrah Al-Busayrah () is a town in eastern Syria, administratively part of the Deir ez-Zor Governorate. The town is located, at the confluence of the Euphrates and Khabur Rivers, southeast of Deir ez-Zor. Nearby localities include Muhassan to the nort ...

during a joint raid with the coalition. Most of the five militants wore

explosive belt An explosive belt (also called suicide belt, suicide vest or bomb vest) is an improvised explosive device, a belt or a vest packed with explosives and armed with a detonator, worn by suicide bombers. Explosive belts are usually packed with ball ...

s, the SDF stated. SOHR said four members of a family were also killed, two of which were targeted by coalition helicopter gunfire while trying to flee on a motorbike. * Overall - During the year 344 ISIS attacks left, 136 SDF fighters and 93 civilians killed.

2022

*20 January – The Battle of Hasakah begins. *11 September – ISIS attack kills 6 SDF fighters in Deir Ez-Zor * Overall - During the year 201 ISIS attacks left, 93 SDF fighters and 54 civilians killed (excluding Battle of Hasakah 2022).

2023

* 3 April – An American-led coalition strike kills senior ISIS member Khalid Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri. * August 10 – 33 Syrian soldiers were killed and 10 were injured in an ambush carried out by Islamic State militants west of the city of Mayadeen. * August 28 – Fighting erupts between the SDF and tribal fighters after several members of the latter were arrested on charges of criminal activity, including drug trafficking. Those arrested included Abu Khawla, Deir ez-Zor Military Council commander. Over the next two days, at least 30 people are killed in clashes at Hrejieh and Breeha. * Overall - During the year 165 attacks ISIS left, 89 SDF fighters, 26 civilians and four ISIS fighters killed.

2024

*23 September - two SDF fighters were killed in an ISIS attack in Deir ez-Zor Province. *21 November - two SDF fighters were killed and four civilians injured in a landmine explosion, planted by ISIS in Kobani. *21 November - two SDF fighters were killed and 10 others injured in an IED attack by ISIS in Deir ez-Zor Province. *3 December – the SDF, supported by the US-led CJTF–OIR coalition, launched an offensive on pro-government forces in the eastern

region. *9 December – anti-SDF protests erupted in

calling for the

Syrian transitional government The Syrian transitional government () is the current provisional government of Syria, formed on 29 March 2025 under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. It succeeded the Syrian caretaker government headed by Mohammed al-Bashir. The government was ...

to take control over the city. *11 December –

came under the control of

Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) was a Sunni Islamist political organisation and paramilitary group involved in the Syrian civil war. It was formed on 28January 2017 as a merger between several armed groups: Jaysh al-Ahrar (an Ahrar al-Sham facti ...

. Some SDF Military Council leaders defected to the Fateh Mubin operations room. *27 December - two SDF fighters were killed and three others injured in simultaneous attack by ISIS in Al-Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor Provinces. *Overall - During the year, 264 ISIS attacks left, 77 SDF fighters, 30 civilians and 13 ISIS fighters killed.

2025

*7 January - Four SDF members were killed in an ISIS ambush on checkpoint in the Deir ez-Zor Province. *16 January - a SDF member was executed by ISIS cells and body was dumped in the western part of Abu Khashab town in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor. *19 January - a SDF member was killed and others were wounded in a local gunmen ambush near Euphrates River in Deir ez-Zor Countryside. *25 January - a SDF member was killed and another wounded by an ISIS attack in Al-Hasakah. *29 January - a SDF member was killed in an ISIS attack in Al-Hasakah Province. *1 February - Syrian media reported that the SDF launched raids in Kishkiya, Abu Hamam, and Gharanij, and arrested 10 people. Kurdish media reported that the SDF arrested 20 people “dealing with the former regime” in Gharanij, but Anti-SDF media claimed that the SDF also targeted members of local tribes. *6 February - a SDF member was killed another injured in an ISIS attack in Deir ez-Zor. *19 February - a SDF member was killed by accidental gunshot in a family infighting, incident take place in Al-Hasakah. *26 February - a civilian working for SDF was killed in Western Deir ez-Zor Countryside. *10 March - a SDF member was killed in an ISIS attack in eastern Deir Ezzor. *12 March - an Asayîş member was killed and two others were injured in an ambush by ISIS cells in the Al-Hazima area in Al-Raqqa. *14 March - the SDF and the US-led CJTF–OIR conducted joint live-fire exercises with heavy weapons and drones near the Conoco Gas Fields. *29 March - an ISIS member was killed in clashes with SDF in Deir Ezzor. *5 April - the Asayîş and YPJ started an Anti-Terror-Operation in the Roj Camp near Dêrik. *6 April - according to Kurdish sources, six ISIS collaborators were arrested inside Roj camp near Dêrik. *6 April - a civilian collaborator of SDF was killed by ISIS members in Deir Ezzor. *13 April - a SDF member was killed and three others wounded in an ISIS attack in Eastern Deir Ezzor Countryside. *13 April - On the same day, a SDF member was killed in an ISIS attack in eastern Deir Ezzor Countryside. *17 April - a SDF member was killed by ISIS cells in Al-Hasakah. *21 April - a

civilian A civilian is a person who is not a member of an armed force. It is war crime, illegal under the law of armed conflict to target civilians with military attacks, along with numerous other considerations for civilians during times of war. If a civi ...

was killed by SDF members in Al-Hasakah. *28 April - Five Self-Defense Forces members were killed and another was injured in a surprise ISIS attack on their positions in Jarzat Al-Milaj in Deir Ezzor countryside. *6 May - Two SDF members were killed by an ISIS attack in eastern Deir Ezzor. *19 May - a SDF member was killed and two others wounded in an ISIS attack on a military post in Deir Ezzor. *25 May - a SDF member was killed and two others wounded in an ISIS attack in Al-Raqqah. *31 May - a SDF member was killed and another wounded in an ISIS attack in eastern Deir Ezzor. *1 June - Three SDF members were killed in an IED attack by ISIS cells near Tell Abyad countryside.

Background

Insurgent factions

Timeline

2017

2018

2019

January–March

April–June

July–September

October–December

2020

January–March

April–June

July–December

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

See also

Notes

References

Further reading