Islamic State Claims Attacks on Syrian Army in Deir al-Zor and Raqqa

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for two attacks on Syrian government forces in eastern Syria, targeting positions in al-Mayadeen in Deir al-Zor province and Raqqa city.

According to a statement from the group's affiliated outlet Dabiq, an Islamic State fighter shot and killed one Syrian government soldier in al-Mayadeen using a handgun. In a separate incident in Raqqa, two additional soldiers were targeted.

Syria's Defense Ministry stated that unidentified attackers killed one Syrian army soldier and one civilian in the incidents, without attributing responsibility to the Islamic State.

A military source told Reuters that the slain serviceman was a member of the Syrian army, confirming government forces among the casualties.

The Islamic State declared it had entered a new phase of operations in Syria, warning of expanded campaigns targeting the country's leadership and state institutions.

Despite losing most territorial control in recent years, Islamic State sleeper cells remain active in eastern provinces such as Deir al-Zor and Raqqa, where repeated ambushes, bombings and targeted killings have been attributed to the group's remnants.