A man on a motorbike opened fire on a group of people near Deir ez-Zor. Several civilians were injured in the attack. One person died at the site of the attack. The attack occurred between the communities of al-Shaheel and Hawayic.

Al-Shaheel and Hawayic are strategically important locations for clandestine ISIS structures

No details are available on the possible background to the attack. However, the region is characterized by clandestine networks of the Islamic State, which repeatedly carry out attacks following a similar pattern.

There are clear indications that Turkey and the Syrian regime are supporting these cells. Both have an interest in the failure of the Autonomous Administration. The region is also relevant as a supply route for ISIS. Only last July, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) closed fpassages through the Euphrates at al-Shaheel, al-Sir and Hawayic, which were used as smuggling routes from the regime-controlled area. It was through these points that ISIS brought weapons, fuel and personnel out of the areas controlled by the regime.

In the first week of February, the SDF launched a major operation against ISIS against the background of increased activity by its cell structures. The area of ​​operations includes the Deir ez-Zor desert and other regions in the border area between Syria and Iraq.