ISIL Launches Parallel Attacks in Syria, Killing at Least 30 Government Soldiers and Militia Members

Attacks carried out in regions of Raqqa, Homs, and Deir ez-Zor highlight the continuing threat of the extremist group years after its official defeat, with an undisclosed number in critical condition and Russian air strikes against ISIL's positions causing further casualties.

• ISIL (ISIS) has conducted parallel attacks in the regions of Raqqa, Homs, and Deir ez-Zor, killing at least 30 Syrian pro-government militia and soldiers, thereby highlighting the group's enduring threat despite its territorial defeat.
• The attacks were carried out by machine guns, killing 26 members of the National Defence Forces, a pro-government militia, and four soldiers. However, the death toll is expected to rise due to the number of critically injured victims.
• In response to these attacks, Russian warplanes have carried out strikes against ISIL positions in the desert, resulting in an undisclosed number of casualties among its members.
• ISIL, once a formidable terrorist group boasting an estimated 50,000 fighters, continues to carry out hit-and-run attacks against both pro-government forces and Kurdish-led fighters, from its hideouts in the desert.
• These attacks come in the wake of ISIL's leadership transition after the death of its previous leader, with Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurashi announced as the group's new chief. Comparably, in August, there were multiple ISIL-performed attacks killing dozens of pro-government militants and civilians.

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