Suspected IS sleeper cells step up assassinations, attacks in eastern Syria after SDF ‘victory’ in Baghouz

Officials from the Syrian Democratic Forces speak to journalists at a press conference in Deir e-Zor on March 24.

Islamic State attacks have reportedly claimed the lives of dozens of commanders and fighters from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa, Deir e-Zor and Hasakah provinces since last month, when SDF forces began closing in on the final stronghold of IS fighters in Baghouz.