The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said Islamic State cells have sharply increased attacks in areas of Deir al-Zor province controlled by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), despite ongoing joint operations with the international coalition.
Since the start of 2025, SOHR has documented 114 ISIS operations in the region, including ambushes, bombings and shootings targeting SDF checkpoints and vehicles. The attacks have killed 22 SDF fighters and three ISIS militants in subsequent clashes or security raids, the group said.
Nine civilians have also been killed and 27 people wounded—among them two members of the SDF’s internal security force, Asayish—underscoring that both civilians and security institutions are being hit.
SOHR described the operations as classic “hit-and-run” raids carried out by small, mobile cells that strike quickly before melting into difficult terrain or blending with local populations, complicating surveillance and pursuit.
Analysts warn the uptick threatens stability in eastern Syria and have urged tighter security coordination and more pre-emptive measures to prevent ISIS from exploiting local grievances.
ISIS lost its last territorial enclave in Syria in 2019, but its sleeper cells remain active, relying on decentralised tactics, concealment and attrition to sustain an insurgency.