SDF announces operation to pursue ISIS cells in Hawl Camp in NE Syria
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on Wednesday a new security operation, backed by the U.S.-led Global Coalition, in the Hawl Camp in northeastern Syria to dismantle cells of the Islamic State (ISIS).
The operation follows intelligence and admissions from ISIS affiliates pointing to an upsurge in ISIS cell activity, including plans for potential “terrorist attacks” in the area.
The announcement came during a press briefing at Hawl Camp from the “Operation Room of Operation Enduring Security.”
This operations room includes the SDF, the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish), and the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), all with Coalition support.
The statement also mentioned that the recent operation was prompted by a fatal attack on an Asayish patrol on the Hawl– Shaddadi road on Sep. 26, which killed three Asayish members.
According to the operations room, this attack serves as a “serves as a stark reminder that ISIS terrorism continues to pose a threat to the region, and the necessary to initiate a large-scale operation to pursue and eliminate terrorist cells.”
Supported by the coalition, “The operation aims to pursue ISIS remnants and collaborators within the camp and secure the rural areas near the camp.”
The statement also emphasized that, despite global conflicts in the Middle East, the risk of an ISIS resurgence is a persistent threat, particularly in isolated areas where ISIS has reportedly sought to organize prison and camp attacks to reunite its members and renew its operations.
This year has seen multiple attempts by ISIS militants to breach the Hawl Camp and detention centers in Northeast Syria housing ISIS members.