Kurdish-led SDF, Backed by U.S. CENTCOM, Captures ISIS Cell Leader in Eastern Syria

A joint patrol of U.S. vehicles and SDF special forces in Derik, northeast Syria. Photo by North Press
A joint patrol of U.S. vehicles and SDF special forces in Derik, northeast Syria. Photo by North Press

By Kardo Roj

DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – In a joint counterterrorism operation on March 6, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with intelligence and technical support from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), captured Salah Mohammad Al-Abdullah, an ISIS cell leader, near the town of Shahil in eastern Syria.

According to a CENTCOM statement, the SDF recovered multiple weapons during the operation, including a .50-caliber sniper rifle, an AK-47, hand grenades, and various other ammunition. The raid is part of the ongoing campaign to eliminate ISIS sleeper cells and prevent the terrorist group’s resurgence.

“The SDF-led operation is part of the ongoing Defeat-ISIS campaign to degrade ISIS networks and prevent the resurgence of the terrorist group in the region,” the CENTCOM statement read.

Despite territorial defeat in 2019, ISIS continues to operate through clandestine cells, launching attacks against security forces and civilians in Syria and Iraq. The group has intensified its activities in recent months, particularly in Syria’s eastern Deir ez-Zor province, targeting SDF forces, tribal leaders, and local infrastructure.

The SDF, backed by the U.S.-led coalition, routinely conducts raids to dismantle ISIS networks. In February, a similar operation led to the capture of another ISIS commander, demonstrating the persistent threat posed by the organization.

The arrest of Al-Abdullah is expected to disrupt ISIS operations in the region, but analysts warn that the group’s decentralized structure allows it to adapt quickly. “ISIS remains a significant threat, using local grievances and economic instability to recruit and conduct asymmetric attacks,” a security expert told North Press.

The operation also highlights ongoing U.S. military involvement in Syria, where approximately 900 American troops remain stationed to support the SDF in counterterrorism efforts. However, increasing tensions between regional actors, including Turkey and Iran-backed militias, complicate the security landscape.

The SDF and U.S. forces are likely to continue their counterterrorism efforts in eastern Syria, with more operations expected in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, concerns persist about ISIS’s ability to exploit instability in the region, particularly amid shifting political and military dynamics.

As the fight against ISIS continues, the latest operation underscores the importance of sustained counterterrorism cooperation between local and international forces.