Deir ez-Zor offensive (April–July 2014)

{{main|Deir ez-Zor clashes (2011–14)}}

Protests against the Syrian government and violence has been ongoing in the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor since March 2011, as part of the wider Syrian civil war, but large-scale clashes started following a military operation in late July 2011 to secure the city of Deir ez-Zor. The rebels had gradually taken control of the province until almost complete domination in mid-2013.

On 10 April 2014, ISIS launched a three-pronged assault on rebel positions in and near the border town of Abu Kamal. {{anchor|Kabajeb}}The ISIS reportedly took parts of the town,{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Apr-10/252903-syria-qaeda-loses-ground-to-jihadist-rivals-on-iraq-border.ashx|title=Syria Qaeda loses ground to jihadist rivals on Iraq border|work=The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon|access-date=25 October 2014|archive-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401070048/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Apr-10/252903-syria-qaeda-loses-ground-to-jihadist-rivals-on-iraq-border.ashx|url-status=dead}} the silos near the town and Kabajeb.{{cite web|url=http://syriahr.com/index.php?option=com_news&nid=17701&Itemid=2&task=displaynews#.U0aIQ_lYB1A|title=الدولة الإسلامية تتقدم وتسيطر على مناطق في البوكمال|access-date=25 October 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/11/world/meast/syria-civil-war/ |title=68 killed as Islamist groups fight each other in Syria, group says|publisher=CNN|date=11 April 2014|access-date=23 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/RomainCaillet/status/457286923480883202 |title=les combattants de l'EIIL revendiquent la reprise de Kabajeb|publisher=Romain Caillet|date=18 April 2014|access-date=23 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13930210000783 |title=Syria: ISIL, Al-Nusra Front Resume Fierce Clashes in Deir Ezzur|publisher=FARS|date=30 April 2014|access-date=23 December 2014}} The bodies of 10 rebel fighters, allegedly executed by ISIS, were found at two different sites in Abu Kamal with more reports of the summary executions of rebels by the ISIS in the area according to the SOHR.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Apr-10/252956-51-killed-in-syria-jihadist-clashes-on-iraq-border-ngo.ashx |title=51 killed in Syria jihadist clashes on Iraq border: NGO|publisher=AFP|date=10 April 2014|access-date=11 April 2014}} A counter-attack against ISIS positions by al-Nusra Front and its allies was reported the same day, involving the brigades Liwa al-Qadisiyah and Liwa 'Umar al-Mukhtar.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Apr-11/252981-isis-attacks-jihadist-rivals-syrian-rebels-in-iraq-border-town.ashx|title=ISIS attacks jihadist rivals, Syrian rebels in Iraq border town|publisher=AFP|date=11 April 2014|access-date=11 April 2014}} On 11 April, the number of dead on both sides was raised to 86, including the brother of the ISIS Emir in Abu Kamal and the judge of a Sharia committee.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/syriahroe/posts/512278248880518?stream_ref=10|title=Der-Ezzor province: rose to 5|publisher=Facebook|access-date=11 April 2014}}

On 11 April, Jabhat al Nusra and Islamic battalions bolstered by reinforcements regained control of Abu Kamal after the ISIS was pushed out of occupied districts in less than a few hours after the takeover. ISIS pulled out to the T2 oil station on the outskirts of the city. Most of its checkpoints in the area were also removed. The SOHR confirmed the executions of seven rebel fighters belonging to the Islamic battalion during the seizure of the oil station the previous day.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/syriahroe|title=Syrian Observatory for Human Rights | Facebook|publisher=facebook.com|access-date=30 August 2014}} 26 ISIS fighters were killed in the second day of fighting with the rebel death toll rising to 60.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Apr-11/252993-syria-death-toll-from-rebel-infighting-jumps-to-68.ashx#axzz2yd6jsJiC|title='86 dead' as Syria's Qaeda, allies repel jihadists - News, Middle East - THE DAILY STAR|work=The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon|access-date=25 October 2014|archive-date=25 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025121750/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Apr-11/252993-syria-death-toll-from-rebel-infighting-jumps-to-68.ashx#axzz2yd6jsJiC|url-status=dead}} Three Islamic fighters were also killed battling ISIS positions in the north along with one killed in Markadah.

On 13 April, fighting in the Abu Kamal area subsided as ISIS retreated to the town of Haseen. Heavy clashes were reported with rebels as ISIS made territorial gains in the north, capturing several villages previously held by the rebels.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Apr-12/253105-isis-on-retreat-in-deir-al-zor-after-surprise-attack.ashx#axzz2yhQCqOJn|title=ISIS on retreat in Deir al-Zor after surprise attack|work=The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon|access-date=30 August 2014|archive-date=24 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224001627/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Apr-12/253105-isis-on-retreat-in-deir-al-zor-after-surprise-attack.ashx#axzz2yhQCqOJn|url-status=dead}} On 16 April, rebels pulled away from northern Deir ez-Zor while ISIS was pushed out of a city in the south, leaving 13 ISIS fighters dead. The same day, ISIS assassinated al-Nusra Emir in Idlib province, Abu Muhammed al Ansari.{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat-matrix/archives/2014/04/isis_reportedly_killed_al_nusr.php|title=ISIS reportedly kills Al Nusrah Front's commander for Idlib province|work=The Long War Journal|date=16 April 2014 }}

By 26 April, according to rebel source, some 1,500 rebels were engaged in an offensive in Raqqa province, trying to push towards the city of Raqqa. The same source claimed that the rebels took at least five villages.{{cite news|url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/middleeast/article4073352.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2014_04_25|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200226044558/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/middleeast/article4073352.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2014_04_25|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 February 2020|title=FSA strikes jihadist-held stronghold|work=The Times|access-date=25 October 2014}}

On 1 May, rebels reportedly captured the town of Al-Busayrah as well as the Al-Busayrah mound from the ISIS.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/syriahroe/posts/521831764591833?stream_ref=10|title=Der Al Zor province|website=Facebook |access-date=25 October 2014}} The next day, ISIS fighters took the Abriha village from the rebels, but the rebels recaptured it two days later. More than 60,000 civilians have reportedly fled from towns and villages in Deir ez-Zor province due to the clashes between the rebels and ISIS.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/syriahroe/posts/523008741140802?notif_t=notify_me|title=Der Al Zor province|website=Facebook |access-date=25 October 2014}} That day, the Al-Nusra Front announced that it will stop fighting ISIS as soon as the ISIS will stop its attacks on Muslims.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/May-04/255300-syrias-nusra-sets-conditions-to-stop-fighting-isis.ashx#axzz30mjxINCC|title=Syria's Nusra sets conditions to stop fighting ISIS|work=The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon|access-date=25 October 2014|archive-date=16 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516151326/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/May-04/255300-syrias-nusra-sets-conditions-to-stop-fighting-isis.ashx#axzz30mjxINCC|url-status=dead}} On 5 May, 69 rebels and local gunmen were killed in clashes against ISIS in Deir ez-Zor, while at least 23 ISIS fighters were killed, as well as five civilians, including the governor of the province. The As-Sabkhah village was reportedly taken by the rebels.{{cite web|url=http://syriahr.com/en/index.php?option=com_news&nid=2233&Itemid=2&task=displaynews#.U2gRiPl_tCg|title=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights - Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=26 January 2015}}

On 8 May, ISIS arrested hundreds of people in Deir ez-Zor under suspicion of having family members among the rebels and 20 of them were allegedly executed. Meanwhile, ISIS captured the villages of at-Tabiyah,[http://www.aranews.org/en/home/syria/1346-accused-of-cooperation-with-syria-rebels,-20-civilians-executed-by-isil-in-deir-ez-zor.html Accused of cooperation with Syria rebels, 20 civilians executed by ISIL in Deir ez-Zor] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140509010738/http://www.aranews.org/en/home/syria/1346-accused-of-cooperation-with-syria-rebels,-20-civilians-executed-by-isil-in-deir-ez-zor.html |date=9 May 2014}} Al-Kasrah and Hammar Ali in the province.{{cite web|url=http://syriahr.com/index.php?option=com_news&nid=18883&Itemid=2&task=displaynews#.U2wnEfl_tCg|title=المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان - المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان|work=المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان|access-date=26 January 2015}} More than 20 rebels were killed in the clashes. Several ISIS fighters were also killed. On 10 May, ISIS took complete control of western Reef Deir Iz Zor.

From 30 April until 10 May, 230 fighters and several civilians were killed in the clashes between the Al-Nusra Front and ISIS in the governorate of Deir ez-Zor according to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights; 146 of the dead combatants were those who fought against ISIS.{{cite web|url=http://syriahr.com/en/index.php?option=com_news&nid=2248&Itemid=2&task=displaynews#.U27tHvmSyeR|title=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights - Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=26 January 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/May-10/256001-100000-civilians-flee-jihadist-clashes-in-syria.ashx#axzz315t2nah6|title=100,000 civilians flee jihadist clashes in Syria|work=The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon|access-date=25 October 2014|archive-date=25 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025121747/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/May-10/256001-100000-civilians-flee-jihadist-clashes-in-syria.ashx#axzz315t2nah6|url-status=dead}}

File:Deir ez-Zor Governorate (May 15 2014).svg

On 11 May, an opposition source stated that since the start of the conflict 2,000 rebel fighters had been killed fighting against ISIS and 2,850 were wounded.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/archicivilians/status/464490402440314880|title=Syrian Rebellion groups losses in their conflict with #ISIS.|access-date=25 October 2014}} From 10 to 11 May, ISIS was said to have gained control of important parts of eastern Deir ez-Zor province and districts of Deir ez-Zor city from rival rebel forces, opposition sources reported.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-jihadists-idUSBREA4A04I20140511|title=Al Qaeda splinter group moves to take eastern Syrian city|work=Reuters|date=11 May 2014 |access-date=25 October 2014}} ISIS reportedly executed multiple FSA fighters at a checkpoint in Al-Hisan village in Deir ez-Zor province on 11 May.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ShaamNewsNetwork/posts/670737392974039|title=#SNN | #Syria Breaking News | Deir Ezzor... - S.N.N | Shaam News Network | Facebook|publisher=facebook.com|access-date=30 August 2014}}

On 13 May, ISIS reportedly gained control of at least five villages in the northern countryside of Raqqa Governorate after battles with rebels; 14 rebel fighters were reported killed in the clashes.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/syriahroe/posts/527295827378760|title=Raqqa Province: ISIS executed the... - Syrian Observatory for Human Rights | Facebook|publisher=facebook.com|access-date=30 August 2014}} ISIS was said to have executed the military commander of the Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa and his nephew near Ayn Issa in Raqqa Governorate.[http://syriahr.com/index.php?option=com_news&nid=19049&Itemid=2&task=displaynews#.U3NgvPmSyeQ إعدام القائد العسكري للواء إسلامي في الرقة]

On 16 May, ISIS launched a suicide attack on a rebel brigade's headquarters in Ash-Shuhayl town east of Deir ez-Zor; 13–14 people, mostly rebel fighters, were reported killed in the attack.{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.net/news/pages/d876ea1f-4464-41da-8935-8ccbc3b97c37|title=قتلى بتفجيرين بدير الزور وإدلب وغارات بدرعا}}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ShaamNewsNetwork/posts/673046092743169|title=#SNN | #Syria Breaking News | Dier Ezzor... - S.N.N | Shaam News Network | Facebook|publisher=facebook.com|access-date=30 August 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://sirajpress.com/%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84/-4-%D8%A3%D8%B7%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%84--%D9%8810-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B6%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%88%D8%B1/1872/#.U3bfz_mSyeQ|title=4 أطفالو10 من الثوار ضحايا تفجير في ريف دير الزور|access-date=30 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004150939/http://sirajpress.com/%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84/-4-%D8%A3%D8%B7%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%84--%D9%8810-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B6%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%88%D8%B1/1872/#.U3bfz_mSyeQ|archive-date=4 October 2016|url-status=dead}}

By late May, 3,000 ISIS fighters were involved in the offensive in Deir ez-Zor.{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.591935|title=Jihadists trying to establish Islamic state on border of Syria and Iraq|date=21 May 2014|work=Haaretz.com|access-date=25 October 2014}}

{{anchor|Al-Shulah}}On 21 May, ISIS was reported to have gained control of the village of Al-Shulah, located in a desert oasis about 30 km southwest of Deir ez-Zor{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Syriamubasher/status/469190338977214464|title=Militia "Islamic State" control the village Shula|date=21 May 2014|work=Syria Mubasher|access-date=10 March 2015}} (which was previously captured by the army on 5 July 2013{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Syrian.Truth.sy/posts/345541208881700|title=Unit of our valiant troops extends its control over Shula|date=5 July 2013|work=Syrian Truth|access-date=10 March 2015}}). A few months later, SOHR announced that warplanes carried out a raid on the area of Al-Shulah, which led to the death of 16 civilians (including ten children), when a rocket landed on a bus that was traveling to Damascus.{{cite web|url=http://www.i24news.tv/ar/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/middle-east/42465-140903-21-%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%A7-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%AF%D9%89-%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%86|title=21 killed in Syria and the army to try to address the infiltration from Jordan|date=3 September 2014|work=i24 News TV|access-date=10 March 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/RozanaRadio/status/507203801766297600|title=Regime air force launches air strikes on Shula|date=3 September 2014|work=Rozana FM|access-date=10 March 2015}} However, Syrian state television accused ISIS of committing a "massacre" in the same place, which caused the deaths of 13 people, mostly women and children.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Syrian.Truth/posts/833121423374585|title=ISIS commits a new massacre against the people of Al-Shaitat in Shula district|date=3 September 2014|work=Syrian Truth|access-date=10 March 2015}} A few months later, SOHR announced that violent clashes took place in Al-Shulah area between regime forces and IS after regime forces called for reinforcements in an attempt to advance in the area.{{cite web|url=http://syriahr.com/en/2015/03/clashes-between-is-and-regime-forces-in-al-shoula-area/|title=Clashes between IS and regime forces in al-Shoula area|publisher=Syrian Observatory for Human Rights|date=15 March 2015|access-date=30 March 2015}}

On 22 May, ISIS was reported to have gained control of the Al-Kharrat oil terminal; 26 Al-Nusra and rebel fighters were killed in the fighting. ISIS was said to have captured five oil stations in the Deir ez-Zor countryside since the beginning of opposition infighting.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/syriahroe/posts/531125213662488|title=Der Ezzor Province: ISIS has taken... - Syrian Observatory for Human Rights | Facebook|publisher=Syrian Observatory for Human Rights|access-date=30 August 2014}}

On 2 June, ISIS took full control of Al-Busayrah east of Deir ez-Zor, while at the same time Jabhat al-Nusra and allies counterattacked, reclaiming 12 villages directly northwest and three directly east of Deir ez-Zor.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/syriahroe/posts/536128479828828|title=Der-Ezzor province: ISIS took control on... - Syrian Observatory for Human Rights | Facebook|publisher=Syrian Observatory for Human Rights|access-date=30 August 2014}}

On 5 June, ISIS gained control of the entire western countryside of Deir ez-Zor after Jabhat Al-Nusra forces withdrew following an assault by Chechen and Afghan ISIS fighters.{{cite web|url=http://www.aawsat.net/2014/06/article55332977|title=ISIS bolsters presence in eastern Syria, advances towards Iraq|access-date=25 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022224259/http://www.aawsat.net/2014/06/article55332977|archive-date=22 October 2014|url-status=dead}} On 8 June, the FSA reportedly assassinated the ISIS emir of Homs.{{cite web|url=http://akhbar.alaan.tv/news/post/32762/syria-hama-army-killed-free-organization-isis-terrorist-bomb |title=الجيش الحر يغتال أمير داعش في حمص والمنطقة الشرقية |access-date=25 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613012505/http://akhbar.alaan.tv/news/post/32762/syria-hama-army-killed-free-organization-isis-terrorist-bomb |archive-date=13 June 2014}} By 10 June, the offensive into Deir ez-Zor had expanded and ISIS had reportedly driven Al-Nusra and aligned militants from nearly all of the province north of the Euphrates.{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Al-Qaida-offshoot-in-fierce-offensive-carves-out-territory-across-Syria-and-Iraq-355874|title=Al-Qaida offshoot in fierce offensive, carves out territory across Syria and Iraq |publisher=Reuters|date=10 June 2014|access-date=10 June 2014}}

According to SOHR, the violence since 30 April led to the death of 241 ISIS fighters and 354 rebels. ISIS also captured four oilfields.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-rebels-idUSKBN0EL10R20140610|title=Hundreds killed as ISIL insurgents gain ground in east Syria|date=10 June 2014 |work=Reuters|access-date=30 August 2014}}

File:Deir ez-Zor Governorate (June 15 2014).svg

By 17 June, ISIS forces imposed a siege on rebel-held areas of the provincial capital{{cite web|url=http://www.aawsat.net/2014/06/article55333345|title=ISIS, Syrian government continue siege of Deir Ezzor|access-date=25 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025121828/http://www.aawsat.net/2014/06/article55333345|archive-date=25 October 2014|url-status=dead}} and three days later captured three towns near the military airport.{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/isis-makes-headway-into-eastern-syria-says-watchdog/article6134014.ece|title=ISIS makes headway into eastern Syria, says watchdog|author=DPA|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 October 2014}}

Since the start of the offensive, the pace of defections from the opposition to ISIS had accelerated, most significantly in the town of Al-Muhasan and adjacent villages, where a mass defection by the rebel garrison granted ISIS uncontested control over a key route to the provincial capital.{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/06/20/isis-seizes-syrian-town-near-iraqi-border-after-western-backed-rebels-defect-to-jihadi-group/|title=ISIS seizes Syrian town near Iraqi border after Western-backed rebels defect to jihadi group| National Post|publisher=news.nationalpost.com|access-date=30 August 2014}}

On 25 June, the local unit of Al-Nusra in Abu Kamal on the Iraqi border pledged loyalty to ISIS.{{cite web|url=http://dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Jun-25/261528-nusra-front-pledges-loyalty-to-isis-activists.ashx#axzz31WuEjX6Y|title=Nusra Front pledges loyalty to ISIS: activists|publisher=The Daily Star|date=25 June 2014|access-date=25 June 2014|archive-date=26 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626034817/http://dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Jun-25/261528-nusra-front-pledges-loyalty-to-isis-activists.ashx#axzz31WuEjX6Y|url-status=dead}}

On 30 June, ISIS allowed a relief convoy with aid to enter the provincial capital.[Syria Direct: ISIS AID ENTERS DEIR E-ZOR]

On 1 July, ISIS, bolstered by reinforcements from Iraq, routed rebels from Abu Kamal after days of fighting with opposition forces led by Al-Nusra. ISIS began advancing towards Al-Nusra's stronghold, Ash-Shuhayl, also reported to be the hometown of its leader, Abu Mohammad al-Julani.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140716070409/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/report-jihadi-group-captures-syrian-border-town/2014/07/01/86278b08-0105-11e4-9a6a-955ebcaa3334_story.html Report: Jihadi group captures Syrian border town] The Washington Post 1 July 2014

On 3 July, ISIS took control of the towns of Mayadin and Ash-Shuhayl in Deir ez-Zor province, after Al-Nusra fighters withdrew,{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-islamicstate-idUSKBN0F80SO20140703?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews|title=Al Qaeda leaves east Syria strongholds to Islamic State: monitor|work=Reuters|date=3 July 2014 |access-date=25 October 2014}} and gained control of Syria's largest oil field, al-Omar in Deir ez-Zor province, after Al-Nusra forces fled the facility.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/extremist-group-takes-towns-syria-24409027|title=Extremist Group Takes Syrian Towns, Key Oil Field|author=ABC News|work=ABC News|access-date=25 October 2014}} By this point, the entirety of the province with the exception of the provincial capital, its airport, and a few villages had fallen to ISIS.[https://web.archive.org/web/20160203065515/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-crisis-islamicstate-idUKKBN0F80SS20140703 Al Qaeda leaves east Syria strongholds to Islamic State -monitor] Reuters Thu 3 July 2014 Following this, ISIS captured the towns of Al-Quriyah and Buqrus, close to the town of Mayadin.[https://news.yahoo.com/islamic-state-extends-gains-parts-syria-monitor-152105403.html Islamic State extends gains in parts of Syria: monitor] Reuters 4 July 2014

File:Deir ez-Zor Governorate (July 15 2014).svg

On 14 July, ISIS expelled Jabhat al-Nusra and other assorted rebel groups from all rebel-controlled neighborhoods in Deir ez-Zor city.{{cite web|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKBN0FJ1I020140714|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724143821/http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKBN0FJ1I020140714|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 July 2014|title=Islamic State expels rivals from Syria's Deir al-Zor - activists|access-date=25 October 2014}} By this stage, ISIS controlled between 95% and 98% of the Deir ez-Zor Governorate.{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/07/state-expels-rivals-from-syria-city-2014714134248239815.html|title='Islamic State' expels rivals from Syria city|author=Agencies|access-date=25 October 2014}}

The December 2014 ISIS Offensive was launched by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on the Deir ez-Zor air base and surrounding areas in late 2014, with an aim of capturing last Ba'athist government's strongholds in the province.

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Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war in 2014

Category:Deir ez-Zor Governorate in the Syrian civil war

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the al-Nusra Front

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Free Syrian Army

Category:Deir ez-Zor in the Syrian civil war