The Command of Deir ez-Zor Military Council released a statement about the latest wave of attacks and massacre of civilians by the Syrian regime forces and their allied mercenaries. 

"We firmly believe that these attacks serve the interests of the terrorist organization ISIS, providing an opportunity for its resurgence and the spread of terror," said the statement by Deir ez-Zor Military Council, which includes the following:

"In the early hours of Thursday morning August 7, under the cover of intense artillery and mortar fire, Syrian regime forces and their allied mercenaries, including the so-called “National Defense Forces” launched ground attacks and infiltration operations into areas along the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, Deir ez-Zor.

The indiscriminate and barbaric shelling by the Syrian regime against the populated areas resulted in the martyrdom of two civilians and the wounding of five others in both Dhiban village and Al-Latwa neighborhood. The city of Al-Shuhail also suffered casualties and damage from heavy shelling.

In response, our SDF’s Deir ez-Zor Military Council and Hajin Military Council engaged in fierce clashes with the Syrian regime-backed mercenaries, estimated to number over 400 individuals, in the vicinity of the infiltrated villages in Al-Latwa, Dihban, Dranach, Garanij and Al-Tayaneh, and inflicted substantial losses upon them. 25 mercenaries were eliminated and 10 others were wounded. Then, an immediate combing operation was initiated to clear the region of remaining mercenaries.

Two of our fighters were martyred, and ten others sustained minor injuries during the clashes with the attacking mercenary groups. The local population, including all tribes and clans, actively participated in resisting and responding to the mercenary attacks. They demonstrated unwavering support for our SDF forces. The region’s collective voice unequivocally condemned the attacks, rejecting the transformation of their homeland into a battleground to serve foreign interests. The ultimate goal of these attacks is to seize control of the region, sow discord, and plunge the area into chaos and destruction. This stands in stark contrast to the longstanding harmony and unity among the region’s diverse communities, which have flourished under the protection of the Autonomous Administration and our SDF forces.

Conclusive evidence, including videos, confirms that regime forces and mercenaries deliberately targeted civilian homes. These attacks were carried out despite their knowledge of the heavily populated civilian areas, which are distant from the conflict zone.

In a vengeful response to the defeat of their mercenaries, Syrian regime forces intensified their barbaric and indiscriminate artillery and missile bombardment of civilian homes in the early hours of Friday morning. Originating from their base on the western bank of the Euphrates, it resulted in two horrific massacres in the villages of al-Dahalah and Jadeed Bakara. Eleven innocent civilians, primarily women and children, were martyred, with five others wounded.

Our SDF’s Deir ez-Zor Military Council remains steadfast in its commitment to defending our people and region against these brutal assaults. We will not tolerate these massacres without a resolute response and will exercise our right to self-defense in accordance with international law. We firmly believe that these attacks serve the interests of the terrorist organization ISIS, providing an opportunity for its resurgence and the spread of terror.

We extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to all our people in Deir ez-Zor and the sheiks and notables for their unwavering patriotism, steadfast support for our SDF forces in repelling these attacks, and instrumental role in maintaining societal cohesion. Their resolute rejection of external interference and commitment to preserving the region’s security and stability are commendable."