MESOPOTAMIA NEWS INTEL BY MEIR AMIT INTELLIGENCE & TERRORISM INFORMATION CENTER – ISRAEL / Spotlight on Global Jihad (July 25-31, 2019)

Main events of the week
  • In the Syrian arena, the Syrian army managed to record an achievement in the Idlib area after many weeks of being bogged down. The Syrian army took over the villages of Tal Mileh and Al-Jebeen, northwest of Hama, from the rebel organizations. Apparently, the purpose of the move is to take control of part of the road leading from Hama to the Al-Ghab Plain (and from there northward to Jisr al-Shughur and Idlib). The Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham confirmed the fall of Tal Mileh and Al-Jebeen “after a month and a half of sacrifice and efforts.”
  • At the same time, ISIS’s process of recovery in Syria continued. ISIS has changed its modus operandi, switching from overt territory-based activity and population control to covert guerrilla warfare. ISIS’s guerrilla attacks focus on the Euphrates Valley (the Al-Mayadeen region), the Kurdish control zone in northeastern Syria, and the deserts in the Palmyra region. In addition, local ISIS networks have apparently resumed their activity in the area of Daraa and possibly in the Damascus area as well (this week, an ISIS operative blew himself up near a Syrian army force northeast of Daraa).
  • In the Iraqi arena, ISIS continues its intensive terrorist and guerrilla activity in the various provinces. The main forms of activity were the detonation of IEDs against vehicles on various roads, sniper fire, mortar shell fire, and the killing of Iraqi intelligence agents. On the other hand, the Iraqi security forces reportedly thwarted a major wave of terrorist attacks, including suicide bombing attacks in Baghdad, Karbala and Basra.
  • ISIS’s routine activity in the various overseas provinces and regions continued: In Nigeria, six employees of an international relief organization were abducted; In Mozambique, an army base and the homes of so-called agents and collaborators were attacked; In Egypt, an IED was activated against an Egyptian army patrol in the Rafah area; In Afghanistan, targets affiliated with the Afghan government were attacked in Kabul and at the same time, intensive activity continued in the Nangarhar Province (eastern Afghanistan); In Bangladesh, IEDs were planted at police checkpoints in the capital Dhaka; and in the southern Philippines, ISIS operatives repelled an attack by the Philippine army.
Main events in Syria
The Idlib region
Tal Mileh and Al-Jebeen taken over by the Syrian army

On July 28, 2019, the Syrian army carried out a counterattack against the rebel forces in the villages of Tal Mileh and Al-Jebeen, about 30 km northwest of Hama, and took over both of them. In the ITIC’s assessment, the purpose of the attack was to take control of a segment of Road 56, which leads from Muhradah to As-Suqaylabiyah[1] (where the road turns northward, on the eastern outskirts of the Al-Ghab Plain, towards Jisr al-Shughur and Idlib). It should be recalled that Tal Mileh was taken over by the rebel organizations on June 6, 2019, and since then the Syrian army has failed in its attempts to retake it. Thus, the takeover of these villages represents a Syrian army achievement after many weeks of being bogged down.

Segment of Road 56 between the cities of Muhradah (1) and Al-Suqaylabiyah (4). The villages of Tal Mileh (2) and Al-Jebeen (3), taken over by the Syrian army, are situated near the road (Google Maps)
Segment of Road 56 between the cities of Muhradah (1) and Al-Suqaylabiyah (4). The villages of Tal Mileh (2) and Al-Jebeen (3), taken over by the Syrian army, are situated near the road (Google Maps)

Map of the deployment of the forces in the rural area northwest of Hama. Green: the area controlled by the rebels; red: the area controlled by the Syrian army; blue: the Al-Jebeen area, taken over by the Syrian army. The village of Tal Mileh is situated south of Al-Jebeen, in the Syrian army control area (Khotwa, July 29, 2019)
Map of the deployment of the forces in the rural area northwest of Hama. Green: the area controlled by the rebels; red: the area controlled by the Syrian army; blue: the Al-Jebeen area, taken over by the Syrian army. The village of Tal Mileh is situated south of Al-Jebeen, in the Syrian army control area (Khotwa, July 29, 2019)

  • The attack against Tal Mileh on July 28, 2019, was preceded by Syrian army rocket fire against the rebel positions, along with an attack of barrel bombs dropped from the air. During the takeover of Tal Mileh, nine rebel operatives and four Syrian army soldiers were killed (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, July 28, 2019). On July 29, 2019, the Syrian regime released a video showing Syrian army vehicles patrolling Tal Mileh (SANA, July 29, 2019). Concurrently with the attack against Tal Mileh, a Syrian army elite force attacked the village of Al-Jebeen. The Syrian forces managed to regain control of the village. Dozens of operatives of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham and other organizations were killed and wounded (Muraselon, July 29, 2019).
Self-manufactured armored vehicle of the rebel organizations which was destroyed in the village of Al-Jebeen (SANA, July 30, 2019)     Syrian army vehicles patrolling Tal Mileh after it was retaken (SANA, July 29, 2019).
Right: Syrian army vehicles patrolling Tal Mileh after it was retaken (SANA, July 29, 2019). Left: Self-manufactured armored vehicle of the rebel organizations which was destroyed in the village of Al-Jebeen (SANA, July 30, 2019)
Spokesman’s announcement on behalf the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham
  • On July 29, 2019, an official spokesman of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham admitted that Tal Mileh and Al-Jebeen had been taken over by the Syrian army “after a month and a half of sacrifice and efforts.” The spokesman noted that the forces of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham had had to abandon the villages due to hundreds of airstrikes carried out by Russia. According to the announcement, during the airstrikes, use was made of precision weapons and of dropping barrel bombs from helicopters. The spokesman added that the Syrian army and the militias supporting it had damaged the villages of Tal Mileh and Al-Jebeen as part of their scorched-earth policy (Ibaa, July 29, 2019).
The Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham continues to expose ISIS networks
  • While the rebel organizations are fighting against the Syrian army, violent clashes continue between the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham and ISIS covert networks operating in the Idlib region. This week, the security apparatus of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham announced that a force of the apparatus had found an ISIS squad in the town of Saraqib (about 15 km southeast of Idlib). The ISIS operatives refused to surrender and one of them blew himself up (with an explosive belt). Three ISIS operatives were killed in the clashes between the sides (Ibaa, July 30, 2019).
Interim summary of the losses in the fighting
  • The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that from April 30, 2019 (shortly before the Syrian army offensive) until July 27, 2019, a total of 2,747 people had been killed. A total of 997 of the dead belonged to the rebel forces; 926 to the Syrian army and the forces supporting it; and 824 were civilians (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, July 28, 2019).
Southern Syria
Suicide bombing of an ISIS operative in the Daraa area
  • Syrian official sources reported that this week, a Syrian army force attacked a hideout of “terrorist operatives” in the village of Malihat al-Atash, about 30 km northeast of Daraa. During the attack, a “terrorist operative” blew himself up with his explosive belt. Several soldiers were wounded (SANA, July 27, 2019).
  • ISIS’s Hawran Province announced that an ISIS suicide bomber codenamed Abu Malek al-Ansari had exchanged fire with a Syrian army force. He then blew himself up among the soldiers with an explosive belt. According to ISIS, eight Syrian army soldiers were killed and ten others wounded (Telegram, July 27, 2019).

After a lack of activity since the Syrian army took over the Al-Safa area (northeast of As-Suwayda), ISIS renewed its attacks in the Daraa area. Its activity is carried out by the Al-Sham Province – the Hawran region, which announced that it had resumed its activity in the area about two months ago.[2] ISIS’s Damascus Province apparently has also resumed its activity recently. Thus, after a long reorganization period since the takeover of southern Syria and the Damascus region, ISIS resumes its operations in these areas in the form of covert networks carrying out guerrilla warfare (without controlling territories and inhabitants, as was the case in the past).

Northeastern Syria
Attacks inside the Kurdish control area continue
  • This week, ISIS operatives continued to attack SDF forces east of the Euphrates River, inside the Kurdish control area. Following are highlights of the activity (according to ISIS reports):
    • July 23, 2019: A motorcycle bomb was detonated against SDF forces in northwestern Al-Hasakah. Three fighters were killed and several others were wounded (Telegram, July 24, 2019).
    • July 23, 2019: The vehicle of an SDF commander was shot at 65 km north of Deir ez-Zor. The commander’s escort was wounded (Telegram, July 25, 2019).
    • July 25, 2019: An SDF intelligence operative was shot and killed west of the city of Al-Shadadi, about 50 km south of Al-Al-Hasakah (Telegram, July 27, 2019).
    • July 26, 2019: An IED was activated against an SDF vehicle near the village of Tal Hamis, about 60 km northeast of Al-Hasakah. An SDF fighter was killed and three others were wounded (Telegram, July 26, 2019).
    • July 29, 2019: An IED was activated against an SDF truck near the village of Markada, about 80 km south of Al-Hasakah. Ten passengers were either killed or wounded (Telegram, July 29, 2019).
Eastern Syria

Al-Mayadeen area

  • ISIS continues its intensive activity in the Al-Mayadeen area, mostly carrying out shooting attacks or activating IEDs against vehicles moving on the road. Following are highlights of the activity (according to the statements of ISIS’s Al-Sham Province – Al-Khayr region):
    • July 22, 2019: An RPG rocket was launched at SDF forces at a water (pumping) station in the village of Al-Tiyanah, 8 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen. Three SDF fighters were killed (Telegram, July 24, 2019).
    • July 23, 2019: An IED was activated against an SDF vehicle on the road of the Al-Omar oil field, 9 km north of Al-Mayadeen. Three SDF fighters were either killed or wounded (Telegram, July 24, 2019).
    • July 23, 2019: An SDF vehicle was fired at in the village of Al-Bariha, 14 km north of Al-Mayadeen. Four SDF fighters were killed or wounded (Telegram, July 24, 2019).
    • July 24, 2019: An IED was activated against an SDF vehicle 23 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen. Three SDF fighters, including a commander, were killed. Five were seriously wounded (Telegram, July 24, 2019)
    • July 25, 2019: An SDF vehicle was shot at in the village of Al-Tiyanah, 8 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen. Two SDF commanders were killed (Telegram, July 25, 2019).
    • July 25, 2019: An SDF vehicle was shot at in the village of Diban, 5 km east of Al-Mayadeen. A commander and two SDF fighters were killed (Telegram, July 25, 2019).
    • July 25, 2019: An SDF intelligence operative was shot and killed in the village of Al-Shahil, 9 km north of Al-Mayadeen (Telegram, July 26, 2019).
    • July 26, 2019: An SDF intelligence operative was shot and killed in the village of Al-Shahil (Telegram, July 26, 2019).
    • July 26, 2019: An IED was activated against an SDF vehicle in the village of Al-Shahil. Three SDF fighters were killed and several others were wounded (Telegram, July 27, 2019).
    • July 26, 2019: Three SDF fighters were shot and killed 4 km northeast of Al-Mayadeen (Telegram, July 26, 2019).
    • July 26, 2019: An IED was activated against an SDF vehicle in the village of Diban, 5 km east of Al-Mayadeen. Seven SDF fighters were either killed or wounded (Telegram, July 27, 2019).
    • July 26, 2019: An SDF checkpoint was shot at in the village of Sweidan, 17 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen. Three SDF fighters were killed (Telegram, July 27, 2019).
    • July 27, 2019: An IED was activated against an SDF vehicle 4 km northeast of Al-Mayadeen. The passengers were either killed or wounded (Telegram, July 27, 2019).
    • July 27, 2019: An IED was activated against an SDF vehicle in the village of Al-Shahil, 9 km north of Al-Mayadeen. An SDF fighter was wounded (Telegram, July 27, 2019).
SDF preventive activity
  • The SDF forces announced that on the morning of July 27, 2019, about 600 fighters began searching the area of the village of Abu Hamam, 27 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen. Twenty ISIS operatives were captured during the searches. Another ISIS operative was killed in the exchange of fire. The searching forces seized light weapons, ammunition, and communications devices (SDF Press, July 27, 2019).
ISIS weapons and communications devices seized by the SDF forces in the village of Abu Hamam (SDF Press, July 27, 2019).      ISIS operatives captured in the village of Abu Hamam.
Right: ISIS operatives captured in the village of Abu Hamam. Left: ISIS weapons and communications devices seized by the SDF forces in the village of Abu Hamam (SDF Press, July 27, 2019).
Main developments in Iraq
ISIS’s terrorist and guerrilla activity in the various provinces
  • Following are ISIS’s main activities in the various provinces in the past week (according to ISIS’s claims of responsibility):
    • Diyala Province: Sniper fire in the Kanaan area, southeast of Baqubah; an Iraqi soldier was seriously wounded (ISIS’s Diyala Province, as posted on Telegram, July 24, 2019).
    • Diyala Province: Sniper fire directed at a camp of the Popular Mobilization west of Khanaqin. A Popular Mobilization fighter was killed and another was wounded (Telegram, July 25, 2019).
    • Diyala Province: Mortar fire directed at a Popular Mobilization camp west of Khanaqin (Telegram, July 25, 2019).
    • Diyala Province: Detonation of an IED against an Iraqi army vehicle in the southern Kanaan area, southeast of Baqubah. Several passengers were killed and others were wounded (Telegram, July 25, 2019).
    • Nineveh Province: Burning down the home of an Iraqi Intelligence “spy” west of the city of Mosul (Telegram, July 28, 2019).
    • Nineveh Province: Attack against Tribal Mobilization forces south of Mosul. One of the Tribal Mobilization commanders and one of his escorts were killed (Telegram, July 24, 2019).
    • Al-Anbar Province: Shooting at Iraqi soldiers west of the city of Ramadi. One soldier was killed (Telegram, July 25, 2019).
    • Al-Anbar Province: Sniper fire at Tribal Mobilization operatives west of the city of Ramadi. Three operatives were killed (Telegram, July 25, 2019).
    • Nineveh Province: Detonation of an IED against the vehicle of the village head (mukhtar) some 30 km north of Mosul. The vehicle was destroyed (Telegram, July 28, 2019).
    • Nineveh Province: Detonation of an IED against a truck south of Mosul. Five Shiites were killed (Telegram, July 28, 2019).
    • Karbala Province: Detonation of an IED against a vehicle of Shiites northeast of Karbala. Five Shiites were killed or wounded (Telegram, July 29, 2019).
    • Diyala Province: Detonation of an IED against a vehicle carrying two Shiites in the eastern part of the Diyala Province. Both passengers were wounded (Telegram, July 30, 2019).
Preventive activities by the Iraqi security forces

Wave of attacks planned for Baghdad and elsewhere thwarted

  • Abu Ali Al-Basri, a senior Iraqi Military Intelligence officer, reported that a major wave of terrorist attacks planned for Baghdad and several provinces in southern Iraq and Kurdistan had been thwarted. ISIS targets were destroyed in the counterterrorism operation, which included airstrikes and ground attacks. In addition, around 160 ISIS operatives were detained in the Nineveh Province and over 40 in Baghdad. Four operatives who were detained in Basra had been trained to carry out suicide bombing attacks with explosive belts in Baghdad, Erbil, Basra and elsewhere (Iraqi News Agency, July 28, 2019).

Additional preventive activity

  • Additional counterterrorism actions carried out by the Iraqi security forces:
    • Al-Anbar Province: Iraqi security forces carried out manhunts after ISIS squads in the western Al-Anbar Province. As part of the operation, a number of so-called guesthouses, tunnels and military equipment were destroyed (Al-Sumaria, July 28, 2019).
    • Nineveh Province: The Popular Mobilization announced that on July 24, 2019, it had exchanged fire with an ISIS squad attempting to enter the cement plant in the Mount Sinjar area (west of Mosul). The squad commander and six of his escorts were killed. The unit’s commander was Abdullah Al-Sayyad, a resident of the Al-Karamah neighborhood in the city of Mosul and ISIS’s official in charge of civilian security. Explosive belts, light weapons and mobile phones were found in the squad’s possession (al-hashed.net, July 26, 2019).
    • Al-Anbar Province: Iraqi security forces destroyed several ISIS’s so-called guesthouses in the desert area in the western Al-Anbar Province. One of them was used by ISIS’s governor of Al-Anbar (al-hashed.net, July 25, 2019).
    • Salah al-Din Province: Iraqi police announced that forces deployed to defend the oil fields in Al-Alas in the Salah al-Din Province (about 40 km northeast of the city of Tikrit) had repelled an attack by ISIS operatives. According to reports, the operatives apparently attempted to take over the oil field (www.thebaghdadpost.com, July 29, 2019).