SDF kills 12 militants after combing operations in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Tuesday their forces nearly completed combing operations in the town of Diban in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria, killing 12 militants and arresting another.
An military source within the SDF said that SDF fighters took control of half of the town of Diban after repelling an attack by armed groups, which resulted in the killing of 12 militants and the arrest of one of them.
On Aug. 27, the SDF launched a military operation called “Security Reinforcement” with the support of the US-led Global Coalition on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, specifically in Deir ez-Zor, “to eradicate Islamic State (ISIS) sleeper cells, pursue criminals responsible for perpetrating injustices against the local population, and to track down smugglers who exploit the populace’s livelihoods.”
On Aug. 30, the SDF announced the dismissal of commander of Deir ez-Zor Military Council, Ahmad al-Khabil, known as Abu Khawla, from duty, for his involvement “in multiple crimes and violations, including communication and coordination with external entities hostile to the revolution, committing criminal offenses and engaging in drug trafficking, mismanaging of the security situation, his negative role in increasing the activities of ISIS cells,” according to the SDF.
The operation led to the eruption of clashes between the SDF and gunmen affiliated with the dismissed leader and with Nawaf al-Bashir whose groups are active in the western bank of the Euphrates which is under the control of the Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed militias.
Farhad Shami, head of the SDF Media Center stated their forces controlled over the village of Hawaij and were preparing to seize control of the town of Diban.
On Tuesday, armed groups of the National Defense Forces (NDF) affiliated with the government forces surrendered to the SDF at the entrance of the town of Diban.