7 days toll of Damascus forces’ attacks on Deir ez-Zor

Deir ez-Zor Canton, specifically its eastern countryside, has experienced rapid military developments and events over the past seven days. Here is a chronological summary of the events:

Day 1: Attack begins overnight (Tuesday - Wednesday)

Starting from the night of Tuesday-Wednesday, the Damascus government forces and the so-called "National Defense" launched artillery and heavy weapon attacks on the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, NE Syria, from the countryside of Al-Mayadin and Al-Boukamal, and Al-Ashara area.

The bombardment specifically targeted the area around the town of Diban, as well as the towns of Shahil, Tayaneh, Dranj, Abu Hurdub, Abu Hamam, Latwa, and Gharanij in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor. The Syrian Democratic Forces took necessary precautions.

Simultaneously with the bombardment, groups from the Damascus government forces and the so-called "National Defense" infiltrated from their positions in the towns of Buqrus Fouqani, Buqrus Tahtani, Al-Quriyah, and Sabikhan via boats into Autonomous Administration areas in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor.

The indiscriminate shelling by the Damascus government forces on populated areas in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor during the night of Tuesday-Wednesday resulted in the martyrdom of two civilians and the injury of seven others, including two children, according to the Syrian Democratic Forces’ media center.

In response, the Deir ez-Zor Military Council forces confronted the infiltration and the cells associated with the Damascus government forces that moved in conjunction with the attack, leading to clashes between the two sides in the towns of Abriha, the vicinity of Al-Busaira, Diban, Shahil, Tayaneh, Dranj, Abu Hurdub, Abu Hamam, Latwa, and Gharanij.

After clashes lasting approximately four hours, the Syrian Democratic Forces succeeded in eliminating the infiltrators from the Damascus government forces and the so-called "National Defense," resulting in the deaths of eight attackers, with the bodies of three of them captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces, and 16 others injured. Some attackers fled back to the areas they infiltrated from, according to local military leaders.

Later in the afternoon of the same day, the Damascus government forces and the so-called "National Defense" targeted the Al-Omar water field station, located to the east of the Latwa neighborhood in the town of Diban, as well as the water station in the town of Abu Hamam, which supplies water to 4,000 families. The attacks caused fires and rendered these stations out of service.

Day 2: Ground bombardment without infiltration

With a partial calm in the area and the Syrian Democratic Forces and internal security forces beginning to comb the areas that experienced clashes and search for attackers, the Damascus government forces and the so-called "National Defense" renewed their bombardment in the middle of the night (Thursday-Friday).

The towns of Abriha and Al-Sabha, as well as the village of Dahla in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, were targeted with artillery and rocket fire, resulting in material damage but no reported casualties.

Day 3: Massacre in Jadidat Bakara and Dahla

On Friday morning, the Damascus government forces and the so-called "National Defense" resumed their bombardment from the village of Bouleil on the western side of the Euphrates River, targeting the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, specifically the town of Jadidat Bakara and the village of Dahla.

This bombardment resulted in two massacres in Dahla and Jadidat Bakara, with 11 civilians martyred and 5 injured.

During the attempt to bury the martyrs, the Damascus government forces bombarded the Dahla village cemetery, forcing the mourners to hastily bury the martyrs while waiting for the situation to calm down.

Day 4: Continued ground bombardment with infiltration attempts

On Saturday, several shells fell on the outskirts of the city of Al-Busaira, with damage limited to material losses.

On the same day, the Deir ez-Zor Military Council announced the elimination of 25 and the injury of 10 attackers from the Damascus government forces and the so-called "National Defense" forces, as well as the martyrdom of 11 civilians and two fighters from their forces during attacks on the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor.

Day 5: Continued artillery shelling

On Sunday, the Damascus government forces and the so-called "National Defense" continued targeting the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor. Groups from the "National Defense" attempted to infiltrate into areas controlled by the Hajin Military Council, but the fighters managed to repel them, according to the council’s statement.

Day 6: Bombardment focused on Abu Hamam and Al-Kashkiyah towns

On Monday morning, the Damascus government forces and the so-called "National Defense" renewed their attack on the Euphrates city, launching a fierce artillery and mortar assault from their bases in the villages of Douar and Sabikhan in the city of Al-Furat.

The bombardment targeted villages, neighborhoods, and the towns of Abu Hamam, Al-Kashkiyah and Al-Sabha, resulting in dozens of injuries and significant damage to civilian homes and property.

According to ANHA agency's report, 13 people were injured in Abu Hamam and Al-Kashkiyah on the sixth day, including children, with two in critical condition and transferred to hospitals in Hasaka city, and one person was martyred.

The toll of the past 6 days of attacks and bombardments

The total number of martyrs among civilians from the attacks by the Damascus government forces over the past six days reached 14 martyrs, including children, with 25 civilians injured. The water station in Al-Sabha, serving 22,000 people, was put out of service after being targeted by the Damascus government forces and "National Defense," causing significant material damage.

In avenging for the martyrs, the Deir ez-Zor Military Council carried out a large-scale retaliatory operation targeting three positions of the Damascus government forces and the so-called "National Defense" on the western bank of the Euphrates River, resulting in the deaths of 20 and injuries to others.

Socially, the attacks and bombardments by the Damascus government forces and the so-called "National Defense" received popular, tribal, and political condemnation, especially from Arab tribes in North and East Syria and beyond.

Day 7: Cessation of bombardment and cautious calm

On Tuesday, the complete curfew imposed by the internal security forces in several areas, particularly in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, remains in effect. The Syrian Democratic Forces and internal security forces continue their search and investigation operations, with heightened security measures in the region.

Sh-S/A-H

ANHA