ISIS claims oil well bombing in eastern Deir ez-Zor
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Islamic State (ISIS) claimed on Monday responsibility for an attack targeting an oil well in the southeastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria, marking the group’s 14th claimed operation this month.
Amaq News Agency, affiliated with ISIS, reported that the group’s militants detonated an improvised explosive device at an oil well in the village of al-Kishmah, southeast of Deir ez-Zor, on Dec. 19.
The explosion caused the well to catch fire and sustain damage, according to the report. No casualties were immediately reported.
Since the beginning of the month, ISIS has claimed 14 operations across Syria, including seven attacks in areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and seven in territories held by the Syrian transitional government.
Oil fields and energy infrastructure in eastern Deir ez-Zor have repeatedly been targeted by ISIS cells in recent years, as the group seeks to undermine local authorities and disrupt economic resources.
Despite sustained counterterrorism operations by the SDF and the U.S.-led Global Coalition, ISIS continues to rely on small-scale bombings and sabotage attacks in the region’s desert and riverine areas.