Gunmen kill 2 militants of government-affiliated groups in Deir ez-Zor
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Gunmen killed on Saturday two militants of the Usud al-Sharqiya (Lions of the East) faction affiliated with the Syrian government forces while attempting to cross from government-held areas in the west of the Euphrates River to areas in the east in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria.
A military source within the faction in the town of al-Quriyah in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, said unknown gunmen shot both Salem al-Ghazi, 28, and Talib al-Hamoud, 35.
The source told North Press that both men were militants in the Usud al-Sharqiya faction and were killed while they were sailing in a boat to cross the river to the town of al-Tayana in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to attack military headquarters.
On Aug. 27, the SDF launched a military operation called “Security Reinforcement” with the support of the US-led Global Coalition on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, specifically in Deir ez-Zor, “to eradicate Islamic State (ISIS) sleeper cells, pursue criminals responsible for perpetrating injustices against the local population, and to track down smugglers who exploit the populace’s livelihoods.”
On Aug. 30, the SDF announced the dismissal of commander of Deir ez-Zor Military Council, Ahmad al-Khabil, known as Abu Khawla, from duty, for his involvement “in multiple crimes and violations, including communication and coordination with external entities hostile to the revolution, committing criminal offenses and engaging in drug trafficking, mismanaging of the security situation, his negative role in increasing the activities of ISIS cells,” according to the SDF.
The operation led to the eruption of clashes between the SDF and gunmen affiliated with the dismissed leader and with al-Bashir whose groups are active in the western bank of the Euphrates which is under the control of the Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed militias.
Dozens of Usud al-Sharqiya militants crossed to areas in the east of the Euphrates River over the past three days, the source added.
Footage, circulated on social media platforms, showed militants of armed groups affiliated with the government forces crossing to areas held by the SDF to participate in attacks against the SDF.