Five SDF members lose lives in clashes with ISIS
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Five members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were killed Sunday while repelling an attack by Islamic State (ISIS) cells targeting a military position in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, according to an official statement by the SDF.
The SDF confirmed that the fighters lost their lives after engaging in intense clashes with armed ISIS members who launched a coordinated assault on a frontline post. “Five of our fighters were martyred while heroically defending our position from an ISIS cell attack in eastern Deir ez-Zor,” the statement read. “Our comrades resisted until the end and successfully repelled the attack.”
The fallen fighters were identified as Adam (Hasan Hamed Ahmad), Youssef (Izz al-Din Said Khalifa), Beri (Ammar Muhammad al-Alloush), Jodi (Ammar Muhammad Khalifa), and Qaisar (Mazn Abdullah Khalaf).
The SDF extended its condolences to the families of the deceased, praising their commitment to their duties and the security of the region.
ISIS sleeper cells remain active in parts of eastern Syria, particularly in areas previously held by the group before its territorial defeat. Despite years of counterterrorism operations, including joint efforts between the SDF and the US-led Global Coalition, such cells continue to launch sporadic ambushes and attacks targeting both military and civilian infrastructure.
The eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, under the security control of the SDF, has witnessed a series of similar incidents in recent months, as ISIS seeks to exploit local instability and tribal tensions. The SDF has maintained a consistent counterinsurgency presence in the area, conducting regular patrols and raids to dismantle remaining ISIS networks.
The SDF, backed by the Global Coalition, plays a central role in maintaining security in northeast Syria. The region, governed by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), continues to face threats from both terrorist cells and external actors seeking to destabilize local governance.
No further details were immediately available regarding whether additional operations would be launched in response to Sunday’s attack. The SDF has not yet reported any ISIS casualties or arrests resulting from the clash.