Gradual return of villagers in Deir ez-Zor amid ongoing clashes
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Residents of villages in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria, who had fled their homes due to shelling by the government forces, began on Tuesday to return following a night of calm.
The return began after a night of clam and a halt to the exchange of fire along the banks of the Euphrates River between militias affiliated with the government forces and Iran on one side, and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
A local source from the town of Abu Hamam said that residents of the al-Mawh and al-Layeth neighborhoods along the Euphrates River have started to return to their homes.
The source added that the area experienced relative calm last night, encouraging residents to return to their homes.
In the towns of al-Busayrah and al-Dahlah, residents of the al-Huwaija neighborhood and homes near the river also returned, except for some families who remain anxious and fearful of renewed escalation, according to the source.
On the previous Wednesday, militants loyal to Damascus and Tehran shelled areas under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) east of the Euphrates River in Deir ez-Zor. The shelling resulted in civilian casualties and forced families to flee, leaving them to stay outdoors for days.
On Aug. 7, Iranian-backed militants launched a ground attack, supported by shelling of the government forces, from the western bank of the Euphrates River and infiltrated villages and towns in areas held by the SDF in the eastern bank of the Euphrates River in Deir ez-Zor.
The government shelling caused damage to a water pumping station and destroyed homes hit by the shells.
On Aug. 9, the government forces shelled the town of al-Dahla and the village of Jadeed Bakkarah, east of Deir ez-Zor, killing 11 civilians and injured others, the Syrian Democratic Force (SDF) Media Center said.