Reference News Network, November 7 report. According to the website of French newspaper "Le Monde", on the end of October, the temperature in Deir ez-Zor province in eastern Syria had just started to drop slightly. At dawn, two pickup trucks and three Humvees were patrolling around the town of Shuhayla. Several men in long robes accompanied the convoy, their eyes showing vigilance. Aied Turki Habile, leader of the "Deir ez-Zor Military Committee" under the "Syrian Democratic Forces", said: "In Deir ez-Zor, members of the Islamic State organization have completely blended into the local population."

In this area, since Ahmad Sharah took power in December 2024, attacks by jihadist militants have almost daily occurred. As of the end of August, the "Syrian Democratic Forces" had recorded 117 attack incidents, a number far higher than the 73 attacks recorded for all of 2024. The Islamic State has now become a dispersed and mobile rebel organization.

Most of its operations take place in Deir ez-Zor province. This vast desert region predominantly inhabited by Arabs was once an important stronghold of the organization, and it is estimated that most of the approximately 3,000 armed fighters of the Islamic State still remain here.

The organization is taking advantage of the gradual U.S. withdrawal. Since April, Washington has withdrawn about 500 troops from the remaining 2,000 troops in Syria, and has closed several military bases or handed them over to Kurdish forces. The Pentagon plans to reduce the number of troops to less than 1,000 in the coming months.

Two other factors have contributed to the resurgence of the Islamic State. Habile pointed out, "After the fall of the Assad regime, jihadists gained access to the weapons stockpiles of Iran and the former regime - even including rockets," "At that time, an AK-47 rifle could be bought for as little as $50 on the black market."

The Islamic State can hide in Deir ez-Zor province also due to the province's persistent conservative social atmosphere. On October 15, an aid center providing social, educational, and psychological support for women was set on fire by unidentified individuals. (Translation/ Liu Zhuo)

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7569975361274987017/

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