Latest news with #FarhadShami
Asharq Al-Awsat
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
SDF Responds to ISIS Attacks in Eastern Syria
Suspected ISIS cells have escalated their activities in eastern Syria's Deir Ezzor province, staging a series of attacks on security posts and imposing extortion fees on local residents, sources said on Thursday. Military, security, and civil sources in northeastern Syria said ISIS remnants launched coordinated assaults in recent days, including a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack on a security center in the town of Diban, marking one of the most intense waves of violence in the area since the start of the year. 'The cells have become increasingly active, with suspicious movements observed following multiple attacks on checkpoints and security facilities,' one local source said. 'They are using intimidation tactics and extorting civilians.' In a statement on Thursday, the Internal Security Forces, known as Asayish, confirmed that one of their centers in Diban, located in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, was attacked late Wednesday night. 'ISIS-affiliated militants on motorbikes launched an RPG and opened fire on our post in Diban,' the statement said. Although ISIS lost its territorial control in Syria in 2019, sleeper cells continue to operate in remote desert areas, targeting security forces and civilians in ambushes and hit-and-run attacks. Farhad Shami, head of the Syrian Democratic Forces' media center, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Diban attack was one of two coordinated strikes carried out by ISIS-linked cells. 'In the first incident, ISIS fighters used medium-range weapons and rocket-propelled grenades against an Asayish checkpoint in Diban,' Shami said. 'Our forces quickly intervened and fought back, forcing the cell to withdraw.' In a second attack, militants targeted an SDF military vehicle in the nearby town of Jadid Akidat, also in eastern Deir Ezzor, firing an RPG and small-arms rounds at the patrol, Shami said. 'The response was immediate. Our units unleashed heavy fire on the attackers, compelling them to retreat, leaving several of their members wounded,' he added. A United Nations report published in July last year estimated the number of ISIS fighters in Syria at between 3,000 and 5,000, many of whom are believed to be hiding in the rugged terrain between Syria and Iraq. The group's enduring presence has raised concerns among regional authorities and international observers about a potential resurgence, particularly in areas where security forces are stretched thin.
Shafaq News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
SDF slams appointment of US-sanctioned rebel leader
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) condemned the appointment of a former armed group commander accused of war crimes to a senior military post under the Syrian Interim government, calling it a move that legitimizes impunity. Ahmad al-Hays, also known as Abu Hatim Shaqra, was named commander of the 86th Division in eastern Syria despite being under US sanctions since 2021 for human rights violations, including the assassination of Kurdish politician Hevrin Khalaf. SDF Media Center Director Farhad Shami stated on X that 'Shaqra belongs behind bars, not in official institutions,' referencing his alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings, torture, and abuse of detainees, particularly women. إن تعيين المجرمين أمثال "أبو حاتم شقرا" وغيره في أماكن حساسة في سوريا الجديدة خطوة سلبية وغير مقبولة ومن شأنها تلويث مؤسسات الدولة.المجرم "أبو حاتم شقرا" الذي ارتكب الكثير من الجرائم بما فيها جريمة اغتيال الشهيدة هفرين خلف مكانه خلف القضبان وليس المؤسسات الرسمية، وعلى المعنيين… — Farhad Shami (@farhad_shami) May 6, 2025 Shaqra currently holds a command post in the Liberation and Construction Movement, a faction within the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA). He previously led Ahrar al-Sharqiya, a hardline group with members linked to former fighters from ISIS, Ahrar al-Sham, and Jabhat al-Nusra. The Syrian rights group Teazur (Synergy) also condemned the decision, calling it 'an attempt to legitimize criminal behavior' and warning it undermines accountability in opposition-held areas. Synergy Association for Victims strongly condemned the recent military appointments made by the Syrian transitional government within the ranks of the newly formed 'Syrian National Army.' The appointments include individuals listed on international sanctions lists and accused of… — تآزر - Synergy (@HevdestiSynergy) May 7, 2025 This is not the first controversial appointment by the Syrian Interim government. In August 2023, it promoted Mohammad al-Jassem (Abu Amsha), another US-sanctioned figure, to lead the 62nd Division in Hama, granting him the rank of brigadier general. Abu Amsha is accused of forced displacement of Kurds, property seizures, financial extortion, and serious violations including rape and arbitrary detention.
Asharq Al-Awsat
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
ISIS Kills Five Kurdish Fighters in Eastern Syria
The ISIS militant group said on Monday it killed five Kurdish fighters in an attack in eastern Syria's Deir Ezzor, according to the group's news agency. The spokesperson for Syria's Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces Farhad Shami confirmed to Reuters that five members were killed in the attack which he described as "one of deadliest" against the group in a while. Deir Ezzor city was captured by the ISIS group in 2014, but the Syrian army retook it in 2017. Former ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a so-called 'caliphate' over a quarter of Syria and Iraq in 2014 before he was killed in a raid by US special forces in northwest Syria in 2019 as the group collapsed. It has been recently trying to stage a comeback in the Middle East, the West and Asia.
Al Jazeera
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
ISIL group kills five Kurdish fighters in attack in eastern Syria
The ISIL (ISIS) group has killed five Kurdish fighters in an attack in eastern Syria's Deir Az Zor, the group's news agency has reported, underscoring concerns about its resurgence. Farhad Shami, spokesperson for Syria's Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), confirmed to Reuters news agency on Monday that five of its members were killed in the attack, which he described as 'one of the deadliest' against the group in a while. Deir Az Zor city was captured by ISIL in 2014, but the Syrian army retook it in 2017. The ISIL group once controlled vast swathes of Syria and Iraq – including Raqqa, about 160km (100 miles) east of Aleppo and Mosul, in northern Iraq – imposing hardline rule over millions of people. Former ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had declared a caliphate over the two countries in 2014 before he was killed in a raid by United States special forces in northwest Syria in 2019 as the group collapsed. At its peak, the group ruled over an area half the size of the United Kingdom and was notorious for its brutality. It beheaded civilians, slaughtered 1,700 captured Iraqi soldiers in a short period, and enslaved and raped thousands of women from the Yazidi community, one of Iraq's oldest religious minorities. A coalition of more than 80 countries, led by the US, was formed to fight the group in September 2014. The alliance continues to carry out raids against ISIL's hideouts in Syria and Iraq. The war against the group officially ended in March 2019, when US-backed and Kurdish-led fighters of the SDF captured the eastern Syrian town of Baghouz, which was the last sliver of land ISIL controlled. The group was also defeated in Iraq in July 2017, when Iraqi forces recaptured Mosul. Three months later, ISIL suffered a major blow when the SDF took back the Syrian northern city of Raqqa, which was the group's de facto capital. ISIL has recently been trying to stage a comeback, continuing to recruit members and to claim responsibility for deadly attacks around the world.
Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Islamic State kills five Kurdish fighters in eastern Syria
CAIRO - The Islamic State militant group said on Monday it killed five Kurdish fighters in an attack in eastern Syria's Deir el-Zor, according to the group's news agency. The spokesperson for Syria's Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces Farhad Shami confirmed to Reuters that five members were killed in the attack which he described as "one of deadliest" against the group in a while. Deir el-Zor city was captured by the Islamic State group in 2014, but the Syrian army retook it in 2017. The militant group imposed hardline Islamist rule over millions of people in Syria and Iraq for years. Former Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a caliphate over a quarter of the two states in 2014 before he was killed in a raid by U.S. special forces in northwest Syria in 2019 as the group collapsed. It has been recently trying to stage a comeback in the Middle East, the West and Asia. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
