Damascus-backed gunmen injure 4 civilians in Deir Ezzor, SDF reports

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Aug 2025 19:59

The SDF says four civilians were injured in a cross-river attack by Damascus government-affiliated gunmen in eastern Deir Ezzor.

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A Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighter stands next an armored vehicle, at al-Sabha town in the eastern countryside of Deir el-Zour, Syria, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023 (AP)

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported on Saturday that four civilians were injured in an attack carried out by "gunmen from the Damascus government side" in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, eastern Syria. The incident comes amid a wider escalation in the province, with recent infiltration attempts and cross-river raids heightening tensions.

In a statement, the SDF said that "gunmen from the other side of the Euphrates River, under the control of the Damascus government, targeted four citizens last night while they were on the riverbank in the village of Hawijat al-Faihamat, in the al-Basira area." According to the statement, the four individuals sustained varying injuries and were immediately transferred to al-Basira Hospital for treatment.

Local reports indicate that the attack followed a separate incident in which SDF fighters foiled an infiltration attempt in the nearby town of Jazrat, where armed men crossed the Euphrates in a small boat and fired an RPG at an SDF post. The SDF has also faced ongoing security threats from ISIS cells in the region, including a late-July ambush that killed five of its members, as well as targeted assassinations of SDF personnel and affiliated civilians.

The SDF warned that "repeated infiltration operations into its areas threaten stability in the region and endanger the safety of civilians," holding the government "responsible for stopping these violations, addressing them seriously, and preventing any undermining of the region's security and stability."

SDF demands halt to ceasefire violations

In a separate statement, the SDF accused "Turkey-backed factions operating under the umbrella of the Damascus government" of repeatedly violating the ceasefire in several areas, including Deir Ezzor, Deir Hafer, Tishrin Dam, and Tal Tamr.

It added that these factions have carried out "suspicious movements" around the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods in Aleppo city, describing them as "a clear breach of the agreement signed between the administration of the two neighborhoods and the Damascus administration on April 1, 2025."

According to the SDF, these factions have attacked areas in northern and eastern Syria more than 22 times, using heavy weapons, launching ground assaults, and attempting to cross the Euphrates River to target SDF bases in Deir Ezzor. The SDF said these attacks have injured more than 11 civilians and caused significant damage in populated areas.

It stressed that "these assaults contradict the spirit of the agreement reached between the head of the transitional phase, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and the SDF's commander-in-chief, Mazloum Abdi, which is based on a full ceasefire, protection of civilians, and enhancing opportunities for a political solution."

'Continued attacks put understandings at risk'

The SDF noted that it had "exercised restraint throughout the past period and worked to maintain calm despite the attacks," but warned that "continued assaults threaten mutual trust, put the understandings at risk, and revive a wartime mentality at a time when Syria is in dire need of dialogue," holding the Damascus government fully responsible.

The SDF called on the government and its affiliated factions, as well as Turkey-backed groups, to "immediately cease all violations and abide by the terms of the agreement." It also urged the international community and human rights organizations to "monitor these violations and work to ensure respect for the signed agreements."

The statement concluded by saying that the SDF "extends its hand for dialogue and cooperation for a safe and stable Syria, but at the same time is ready to take all necessary measures to defend the rights and security of its people."