'IS attacks' on SDF, regime positions in eastern Syria kill four

Members of the Syrian regime forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were killed on Sunday in two separate attacks in eastern Syria, according to reports.

Two members of the SDF were killed, and others wounded in the northern countryside of Deir az-Zor, local media activist Abu Omar al-Bukamali told The New Arab’s Arabic service Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Armed gunmen targeted the SDF's Tallah point causing the deaths, according to the activist.

Two members of the Syrian regime were also killed by unidentified gunmen believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) group in the town of Al-Mariya in the eastern countryside of Deir az-Zor, al-Bukamali said.

The eastern governorate witnesses attacks against regime checkpoints and SDF members almost daily, as IS are accused of being behind them.

Deir az-Zor's town of Al-Izba, which is under the control of the SDF, has also witnessed protests demanding the release of detainees in prisons run by the Kurdish-dominated group, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.

Protesters blocked roads with burning tires demanding authorities respond to their requests for the release of detainees by Sunday evening.

On the same day, the SDF announced the arrest of three people in the Raqqa governorate in north-eastern Syria on charges of belonging to IS.

The SDF spearheaded the fight against IS with the backing of a US-led coalition in Syria and drove the group from its last stronghold in the country in 2019.

IS continues to claim attacks in the war-torn country, including an attack on a checkpoint in Deir az-Zour that killed three members of the SDF on Wednesday.