5 SDF fighters killed in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on Wednesday that five of their fighters were killed during the recently launched “Operation Security Reinforcement” against Islamic State (ISIS) in the eastern and northern countryside of Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria.
The SDF said in a statement that during the operation, five fighters were “martyred while displaying historic resistance in confronting ISIS militants and facing criminals involved in smuggling and violating prevailing laws and regulations.”
On August 27, the SDF launched “Operation Security Reinforcement” against ISIS cells in Deir ez-Zor with the support of the US-led Global Coalition.
ISIS lost its final stronghold in Syria in March 2019. The SDF, with the support of the Global Coalition, defeated ISIS after fierce battles in the town of Baghouz in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, bringing an end to the so-called caliphate declared by the terrorist ISIS.
After Baghouz, thousands of ISIS fighters were transferred to prisons, while their families were transferred to Hawl and Roj camps in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES)-held areas.
The statement clarified that this operation came in response to the call of elders and dignitaries of the region, following the increased activities of ISIS, smuggling operations, encroachments on the residents, and the disruption of public security in those areas.
Earlier on Wednesday, the SDF dismissed the commander of Deir ez-Zor Military Council from duty after committing crimes and violations, and misusing authority.