Execution of the Egyptian officer by an ISIS operative (Telegram, July 28, 2020)
Overview – The ceasefire is being maintained in the Idlib region of northern Syria, but there has been an increase in the intensity of the incidents between the Syrian army and the rebel organizations. The Salvation Government reported 19 active COVID-19 cases identified in the area, but it is reasonable to assume that the actual number is higher.
- On July 22, 2020, ISIS launched a synchronized wave of attacks known as the Raids of Attrition, (which has not yet ended). To date, over 60 attacks have been carried out, the majority in Iraq and Syria and a few in other provinces in Africa and Asia. Most of them were routine attacks (activating IEDs, attacking military facilities and camps, targeted killings, etc.). However, some of them were high-profile attacks in which ISIS demonstrated high operational capability.
- The most notable was a large-scale combined attack in the northern Sinai Peninsula, near the village of Rabi’a, west of Bir al-Abd (near the coastal highway, about 30 km from the Suez Canal). According to initial reports, the incident included an attack on an army camp and a checkpoint; ISIS operatives took control of four villages near the area of the attack; the abduction and execution of an Egyptian army officer and noncommissioned officer; activation of IEDs devices and sniper fire at the Egyptian forces in the Rabi’a area. According to ISIS’s claim of responsibility, more than 40 Egyptian soldiers and policemen were killed in the attack, and more than 60 were wounded. Up to now, the Egyptian army has refrained from officially reporting its losses, probably due to embarrassment over the high number of casualties (a summary of the incident and its implications will be published separately by the ITIC).
- Another notable attack carried out as part of the Raids of Attrition was the killing of a senior Syrian Military Security operative in Daraa by an ISIS suicide bomber (the official Syrian version has not admitted this). In addition, operatives of ISIS’s Horan Province also activated an IED against a Syrian army vehicle near Nawa (about 9 km east of the border between Syria and Israel). According to ISIS’s claim of responsibility, 10 Syrian soldiers were killed in these attacks.
ISIS’s activity worldwide
Another wave of ISIS’s attacks (“Raids of Attrition”)
On July 22, 2020, ISIS launched a new synchronized wave of attacks, called Raids of Attrition. To date, ISIS has carried out over 60 attacks. It is unclear when the current wave of attacks is going to end (the previous wave of attacks lasted for 10 days[1]). The majority of the attacks so far have been carried out in Iraq and Syria, and some of them in other provinces in Africa and Asia. Most of the attacks carried out so far were “routine.” However, there were some showcase attacks, in which ISIS demonstrated high operational capability. The most prominent was a combined attack against an Egyptian army camp west of Bir al-Abd.
- The wave of attacks was carried out at a time when ISIS’s operational capabilities had improved and its self-confidence increased, mainly in the Iraqi arena, in the Sinai Peninsula and to some extent in Syria. This wave of attacks was intended to raise the morale of its operatives and convey a message of strength to ISIS’s enemies, to Muslim communities around the world and to the international community as a whole. The wave of attacks was also intended to glorify ISIS leader Haji Abdullah, who succeeded Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Jihadi organizations’ activity in Syria
Idlib region
In the past week, there was an increase in the intensity of the artillery fire of the Syrian forces and the militias supporting them at the rebel organizations in the area of Jabal Zawiya, south of Idlib. The Salvation Government operating in the Idlib region reported 19 active COVID-19 cases in the Idlib region, but it can be assumed that their number is higher.
Exchange of artillery fire
- On July 26, 2020, the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham fired artillery at the militias supporting the Syrian army in the rural area south of Idlib. Several fighters, including an officer, were killed or wounded. The Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham reported that the artillery was fired in retaliation for militia artillery fire at Jabal Zawiya (Ibaa, July 26, 2020).
- On July 26, 2020, the forces supporting the Syrian army fired artillery at Jabal Zawiya, about 25 km south of Idlib (Ibaa, July 26, 2020).
- On July 26, 2020, the forces supporting the Syrian army fired artillery at several villages in Jabal Zawiya (Ibaa, July 26, 2020).
- On July 26, 2020, the forces supporting the Syrian army fired artillery at a village about 30 km southwest of Idlib. An operative of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham was killed and others were wounded (Ibaa, July 26, 2020).
Buildings destroyed by artillery fire of forces supporting the Syrian army southwest of Idlib (Ibaa, July 26, 2020)
- On July 25, 2020, the forces supporting the Syrian army fired artillery at a village in Jabal Zawiya, about 40 km south of Idlib. Four people were killed and several others were wounded (Ibaa, July 26, 2020).
COVID-19 outbreak in the Idlib region
- On July 9, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 in the Idlib region was reported. By July 26, 2020, the number of active cases in the region had risen to 19. The morbidity figures were published on behalf of the “health minister” in the Salvation Government, a body that manages civilian affairs in the Idlib region, which is controlled by the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham (Ibaa, July 26, 2020). It can be assumed that the number of active cases in the Idlib region is higher.
ISIS’s activity in Syria
The region of Deir ez-Zor, Al-Mayadeen, and Albukamal
- On July 26, 2020, two SDF fighters were targeted by machine gun fire about 5 km east of Al-Mayadeen. They were both killed (Telegram, July 26, 2020).
Al-Raqqah region
- On July 28, 2020, an IED was activated at the home of an SDF fighter is Al-Raqqah. The house was damaged (Telegram, July 28, 2020).
- On July 27, 2020, two IEDs were activated against the home of an SDF fighter about 70 km southeast of Al-Raqqah. Three people were wounded (Telegram, July 27, 2020).
- On July 24, 2020, ISIS operatives activated an IED planted at the home of an SDF intelligence operative about 20 km north of Al-Raqqah (Telegram, July 24, 2020).
- On July 22, 2020, an IED was activated against an SDF vehicle about 20 km west of Al-Raqqah. An SDF fighter was wounded (Telegram, July 23, 2020).
The area north of Aleppo
- On July 27, 2020, an IED was activated against a vehicle of the Turkish-sponsored rebel organizations near the Syrian-Turkish border. The passengers were killed or wounded (Telegram, July 28, 2020).
- On July 26, 2020, an IED was activated against a vehicle of the Turkish-sponsored rebel organizations north of Aleppo (several kilometers south of the Syrian-Turkish border). Several fighters were killed or wounded (Telegram, July 26, 2020).
- On July 25, 2020, an IED was activated against a Turkish army armored vehicle northeast of Aleppo (near the Syrian-Turkish border). The vehicle was damaged (Telegram, July 25, 2020).
The area southeast of Aleppo
- On July 27, 2020, Syrian soldiers were targeted by machine gun fire in the Dreyhem area, about 65 km southeast of Aleppo. Four soldiers were killed. In addition, arms and ammunition were seized (Telegram, July 28, 2020).
Southern Syria
ISIS’s suicide bombing attack in Daraa
ISIS reported that on July 21, 2020, a suicide bomber blew himself up among Syrian Military Security soldiers in the Daraa al-Balad area in the southern part of the city of Daraa. An ISIS operative codenamed Abu Hamza the Syrian arrived at the scene of the attack riding a motorcycle. Two soldiers were killed and several people were wounded (Telegram, July 22, 2020). According to the Syrian media, a senior Military Security official who was the target of the attack was killed.
- Syrian media outlets affiliated with the regime or with the rebel organizations published other versions (some of them contradictory to the above) of the attack:
- The suicide bomber, who arrived on a motorcycle, carried an IED which he detonated among a crowd of people in Daraa al-Balad. One civilian was killed and 10 others were wounded, most of them severely. The body of the suicide bomber was found at the site (SANA, July 21, 2020).
- According to a website affiliated with the rebel organizations, a motorcycle bomb was detonated near the house of Mustafa al-Masalmeh, who formerly belonged to the Free Syrian Army and recently served as commander of one of the forces belonging to Military Security. Several attempts on his life carried out in the past were unsuccessful. Two people were killed in the attack (Enab Baladi, July 22, 2020).
- On July 21, 2020, a local news website reported an explosion near the house of Mustafa al-Masalmeh, who was a member of Military Security and former operative in the rebel organizations, until the reconciliation agreement in 2018 (Daraa 24 Facebook page, July 21, 2020).
Mustafa al-Masalmeh, the target of the suicide bombing attack (Enab Baladi, a Syrian news website affiliated with the rebel organizations, July 22, 2020)
Another incident
- On July 26, 2020, operatives of ISIS’s Horan Province activated an IED against a vehicle carrying Syrian soldiers near Al-Sakariya, about 5 km northwest of Nawa (about 9 km east of the Syrian-Israeli border, about 35 km northwest of Daraa). A total of 10 soldiers were killed or wounded (Telegram, July 27, 2020).
Al-Sukhnah-Palmyra region (the Syrian Desert)
- On July 28, 2020, ISIS operatives exchanged fire with Syrian soldiers about 60 km northeast of Palmyra. One soldier was killed (Telegram, July 28, 2020).
- On July 26, 2020, fighters of the forces supporting the Syrian army were targeted by machine gun fire about 60 km northeast of Palmyra. Two fighters were killed (Telegram, July 28, 2020).
- On July 26, 2020, ISIS operatives took two Syrian soldiers prisoner west of Al-Sukhnah, 60 km northeast of Palmyra). They were both executed (Telegram, July 28, 2020).
ISIS’s activity in the Iraqi arena
Map of Iraqi provinces (Wikipedia)
Attacks for which ISIS claimed responsibility
Diyala Province
- On July 27, 2020, a sticky bomb was activated against a vehicle carrying a fighter of the Counterterrorism Unit in central Baqubah. The fighter was killed (Telegram, July 28, 2020).
- On July 26, 2020, two IEDs were activated against two Popular Mobilization vehicles about 60 km north of Baqubah. Several fighters were wounded (Telegram, July 28, 2020).
- On July 26, 2020, an IED was activated against a vehicle of the Iraqi Interior Ministry’s Commando Unit about 60 km north of Baqubah. The passengers were killed or wounded (Telegram, July 28, 2020).
- On July 25, 2020, two Popular Mobilization fighters were targeted by sniper fire about 60 km north of Baqubah. They were wounded (Telegram, July 27, 2020).
- On July 21, 2020, Iraqi Interior Ministry Commando Unit operatives were targeted by sniper fire west of Khanaqin, about 100 km northeast of Baqubah. Two commandos were killed and five others wounded (Telegram, July 22, 2020).
- On July 21, 2020, Tribal Mobilization fighters were targeted by sniper fire about 40 km northeast of Baqubah. Two fighters were killed and another was wounded (Telegram, July 22, 2020).
Al-Anbar Province
- On July 27, 2020, an IED was activated against an Iraqi army vehicle east of the city of Kabisa, about 20 km west of Hit. Two soldiers were killed and another was wounded (Telegram, July 28, 2020).
- On July 25, 2020, a motorcycle bomb was activated against Iraqi soldiers east of Kabisa. Two soldiers were killed and another was wounded (Telegram, July 25, 2020).
- On July 25, 2020, several mortar shells were fired at an Iraqi army compound about 160 km west of Ramadi. According to ISIS, accurate hits were observed (Telegram, July 26, 2020).
- On July 22, 2020, Tribal Mobilization fighters were targeted by sniper fire about 3 km west of Hit. One fighter was killed and another was wounded. At the same place, an IED was activated against an Iraqi army vehicle. The passengers were killed or wounded (Telegram, July 23, 2020).
Salah al-Din Province
- On June 24, 2020, ISIS operatives raided a village northwest of Samarra. They captured two mukhtars, two policemen, and one “agent.” The five men were executed (Telegram, July 25, 2020).
Counterterrorist activity of the Iraqi security forces
Diyala Province
- On July 26, 2020, the Iraqi security forces, operating along with a Popular Mobilization force, located an ISIS hideout in the Khanaqin area, about 100 km northeast of Baqubah. They found there substances for manufacturing IEDs, explosive belts, and explosives (Facebook page of the Iraqi Defense Ministry, July 26, 2020).
Explosive belt and explosives seized by the Iraqi security forces
(Facebook page of the Iraqi Defense Ministry, July 26, 2020)
Salah al-Din Province
- On July 26, 2020, during Operation Heroes of Iraq, the Iraqi security forces located an underground ISIS depot containing over 20 rockets (Al-Sumaria, July 26, 2020).