ISIS tightens its grip and occupies more Syrian lands
Introduction:
Abu Hamam City, 65 Km away from the center of the province, is located in the eastern countryside of Deir Al Zour governorate. Two towns administratively belong to the city, as it is considered a stronghold of Al Sha’aytat tribe.
ISIS, the terrorist organization the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)-also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Islamic State, or “Daesh” in Arabic – gained grounds in most of the eastern regions in Deir Al Zour in July 2014 after lengthy battles with An-Nusra Front and some armed opposition groups. It should be noted that most of the armed opposition members belong to the aforementioned tribe.
On 3 July 2014, ISIS conducted an agreement with Al Sha’aytat tribe. This agreement states that the tribe would hand over their weapons in exchange for ceasing the fight. Few days later, ISIS denounced the agreement by arresting a number of the tribe’s members, hence igniting clashes. On 5 August 2014, ISIS announced Abu Hamam City a military zone, ordered the residents to evacuate it, shelled the region with artillery and mortar missiles, then raided and invaded the city. On 10 August 2014, ISIS took complete control over the city in addition to the surrounding villages. Opposition forces withdrew while thousands of residents were displaced and went to Bu Kamal villages in Deir Al Zour, fearing ISIS revenge.