ISIS militants have carried out a series of attacks on the Syrian military. The militants targeted army convoys and military installations in the desert areas of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa provinces in eastern and northeastern Syria, Al-Araby-al-Jadeed reports.

According to the media’s sources, a vehicle of local tribal militia fighters was attacked near Kabajib village south of Deir ez-Zor. As a result of the attack, two militiamen were killed and five more were wounded. Another attack took place in the southwestern part of Raqqa province. Militants ambushed a group of soldiers, killing a Syrian army officer.

The day before, militants also carried out an attack near the city of Ataria west of Raqqa, shooting at an army vehicle with a machine gun. It is reported that reinforcements and special equipment of the Syrian army have been transferred to this area. Militant activity is also observed in the areas of Raqqa province occupied by the US Army with the assistance of the SDF (Kurdish militia). On Thursday, militia units identified a cell of militants planning a terrorist attack in the city of al-Karama. As a result of the special operation, six terrorists were arrested. A large amount of weapons and explosives were seized at the scene.

On Tuesday, July 23, one of the leaders of the local ISIS cell responsible for financing the terrorists was arrested in the city of Raqqa.

Militant activity is also noted in neighboring Iraq, according to local media. The day before, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with his Iraqi counterpart Thabit al-Abbasi in Baghdad. After the talks, the parties "reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in the field of security and a common interest in regional stability," the Shafaq agency reports.

The heads of the defense departments published a joint statement confirming their readiness to resume full cooperation in the fight against ISIS.

"The United States and Iraq intend to continue consultations on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS," the statement said.