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4) from areas under SDF control in Deir ez-Zor to Syrian govt by way of ferries across the river”. First major escalation early on May 31, 2019: Jihadist forces near al-Shuhayl opened heavy machinegun fire on four tanker-barges ferrying oil across the Euphrates.
5) When ambush failed to cause tangible damage, US came to aid of its jihadist allies--US combat helicopters & strike aircraft showed up & strafed the barges, blowing up three of them & causing at least four fatalities. US denied that the May 31, 2019, attack took place, but...
6) the mere involvement of US forces compelled the US to change tactics. US/jihadists moved to on-land raids & ambushes along desert stretch north of al-Tanf, vast Badiyah al-Sham (eastern desert) area. There, properly trained and equipped light forces could, on their own...
7) strike & burn the tanker trucks moving in small convoys, without conflict of interests w US-proxy Kurdish forces. Syrian military officials: “ISIL’s movements have taken place in line with US’ objectives to exert pressure on the Syrian Army and its allies in Syria”.
8) Officials stressed “US is trying to help ISIL block roads leading to Badiyah due to Badiyah’s strategically important oil and gas reserves”. main jihadist operations were taking place between Eastern al-Sukhnah & Deir ez-Zor, including important T-3 Pumping Station & Palmyra
9) jihadist forces using HUMMER vehicles & ubiquitous Japanese-made light trucks. Starting June 3, 2019, the jihadists used US-made TOW anti-tank missiles to strike Syrian armored combat vehicles escorting the tankers. first such strike took place in Jabal Bishri area.
10) by June 7, 2019, jihadists escalated concentrated attacks on traffic in main desert route, hitting Syrian & Iranian vehicles, not just oil tankers & escorts. Jihadists deployed several hundred fighters from camps in al-Tanf area, compelling Syrian army to divert forces...
11) from anti-DI’ISH operations in Baqouz region in E Euphrates province. The jihadist forces were operating over wider areas including Jabal al-Bashri in SE Raqqa, al-Dafinah in South Deir ez-Zor, between Palmyra & al-Sukhnah, and surrounding areas of al-Tanf in Eastern Homs.
12) On June 11, 2019, the jihadists launched their first attack on the western axis of the T-3 Pumping Station near Palmyra. The jihadists also stormed army positions near the desert road east of Palmyra, causing heavy damage and numerous casualties.
13) By mid-June 2019, intensity & frequency of jihadist ambushes increased further. These ambushes, Syrian defense officials explained, “are well-coordinated and [a] proof that the terrorist group possesses the ability to wreak havoc inside the country”.
14) By now there were some 2,000 to 3,000 jihadist fighters in entire Badiyah al-Sham region living off main US-sponsored bases in the al-Tanf area. The escalation has strategic impact because the Syrian military has had to divert reinforcements earmarked for offensive in Idlib
15) thus USA/jihadist operations on desert roads out of al-Tanf help to protect last major pocket of US-sponsored al-Qaida affiliated jihadists in Idlib. Further US help for ISIS: as promised to jihadist fighters by US recruiters in March 2019, on June 2, 2019, US-proxy Kurds...
16) Kurds running the al-Hawl camp released more than 800 women and children — all families of DI’ISH fighters — and handed them to their families residing in the al-Tanf area. This was the first such transfer of ISIS/DAESH non-combatants and more are expected soon.
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