2023 Islamic State attacks vs. the SDF

An interactive map detailing attacks claimed via IS media within SDF territory

I recently mapped all attacks claimed by the Islamic State within SDF-controlled territory over the course of 2023. These claims are primarily sourced from the Islamic State’s newswire, though also include one attack detailed in the al-’Amaq, and twenty-nine undated attacks from a video entitled “Sunna' al-Malahim 7,” published by the group in late June, detailing attacks against various actors across Syria. The latter might include attacks from 2022 or attacks that overlap with those claimed via the newswire, however information and visual evidence is scant making corroboration difficult.

The interactive map containing images of the claim can be accessed here.

Approximately two thirds of the dated attacks allegedly took place in Deir ez-Zour, particularly in and around the town of al-Busayrah, located at the confluence of the al-Khabour and Euphrates rivers.

This trend continues through the attacks claimed “Sunna' al-Malahim 7,” of which twenty-one took place in Deir ez-Zour, five in al-Raqqah, and two in al-Hasakah.

Other random notes:

• None of the pins refer to exact locations

• The vast majority of the claimed attacks allegedly targeted the SDF and Asayish, though a handful of attacks targeted others, including “regime spies,” “bandits,” and a “polytheistic magician.”

• The Islamic State refers to the Deir ez-Zour governorate as “Wilayat al-Khayr,” al-Hasakah governorate as “Wilayat al-Barakah,” and the town of Markadah as “Maysarah.”

• Some further research that can be done into these: some of the clips in “Sunna' al-Malahim 7” appear to be geolocate-able, local media reports and SDF/Asayish ‘martyrdom’ announcements can be matched with claimed attacks.

• Seems possibly of note that al-’Amaq has only reported on one attack in SDF-controlled territory all year.

• The last claimed attack took place on August 27th, prior to the local tribal uprising against the SDF centered around the town of Dhiban. The group declared its neutrality with regards to this conflict several days into it.