Translation and Commentary

Statement from the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham, Wilayat al-Khair (Deir az-Zor province):*

"The Islamic State has distributed a statement for the families of Wilayat al-Khair: its contents:

To all battalions stationed in al-Khair city (previously Deir az-Zor), the alliance of Jowlani and the Sahwa forces have accused us of threatening to have the extension road to you cut off in the event of ISIS' seizing the eastern line of Wilayat al-Khair. They have published these rumours and false claims that the city of al-Khair will fall into the regime's hands, wa la hawl wa la quwwa illa billah.

But you have previously learnt of the powerful strength of ISIS' soldiers against the Nusayris- bi fadl Allah wahduhu- as well as the battles of al-Hawiqa and al-Aamal** and the al-Khair raid (Ghazwa Ayash)*** as best testimony and evidence for the fact that we want to reassure you: that we will not wage war on you so long as you are content with the rule of God's law, you do not commence war against us, or help anyone who is waging war on us, and we will not cut off your extension roads so long as you are stationed within the quarters of al-Khair city to fight against the Nusayris, but rather we will strive to aid and assist you as far as we can."

*- This statement comes in light of wider infighting between ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra in alliance with Islamic Front, Authenticity and Development Front, and independent groups (e.g. in the wider area, Jaysh Mu'tah al-Islami, which shares Nusra's ideology, and from the locality of Albukamal: Liwa al-Mujahid Omar al-Mukhtar). Some groups concentrating on fighting the regime within Deir az-Zor city have rejected participation in the infighting.

It must be said that while there is an overall stalemate as neither side can decisively defeat the other, ISIS is very much on the offensive, as the incursions into Deir az-Zor province from both Hasakah province to the north and Raqqa province to the northwest have triggered displacement of locals. For their part, the rebels have been unable to push ISIS out of the southern Hasakah province stronghold of al-Markadah, and continue to sustain heavy losses (e.g. see this list of fighters from the Jabhat al-Nusra stronghold of ash-Shuhail killed by ISIS since 1st May).

**- Neighborhoods of Deir az-Zor city in which ISIS fought in cooperation with Jabhat al-Nusra and other groups against regime forces back in the day before wider infighting.

***- ISIS military operation conducted in Deir az-Zor province against regime forces last year, with well-known casualties including Abu Abdul al-Rahman al-Britani (Ifthekar Jaman). cf. here





