Kurdish Forces SDF Arrest 10 ISIS Members in Deir ez-Zor, Eastern Syria
By Kardo Roj
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commandos, backed by the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), conducted a successful security operation on Thursday in eastern Deir ez-Zor, leading to the arrest of ten suspected members of Islamic State (ISIS) sleeper cells.
According to an official statement released by the SDF, the raid followed “extensive intelligence gathering and surveillance,” targeting individuals involved in planning and executing attacks against security forces, civilians, and public infrastructure operated by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).
The operation took place in a rural area north of Deir ez-Zor and was characterized by what the SDF described as “a high level of precision and coordination.” Once the suspects’ locations were confirmed, a security cordon was swiftly established, enabling the forces to move in and arrest all ten individuals without casualties.
Weapons, ammunition, and other materials linked to recent attacks were seized during the raid.
The latest operation underscores the SDF’s continued focus on dismantling remnants of ISIS networks that persist in the region years after the group’s territorial defeat in Baghouz in 2019. Despite that milestone, ISIS cells continue to operate clandestinely, especially in areas of Deir ez-Zor and the Syrian desert, where geography and tribal dynamics have enabled them to regroup and mount periodic attacks.
The SDF, supported by the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, maintains routine counterterrorism operations across the region to disrupt these networks. Thursday’s arrests follow a string of similar operations in recent months that have targeted ISIS facilitators and logisticians responsible for funding, recruitment, and roadside bomb attacks.
SDF spokesperson Farhad Shami, reached for comment, emphasized the importance of safeguarding civil institutions and communities under the AANES framework. “These operations are not only about arresting terrorists but ensuring that our schools, municipal buildings, and local councils can continue functioning without fear,” he said.
He added that the arrested individuals were part of an active cell implicated in at least two recent attacks targeting Asayish patrols and a local water station.
The SDF statement also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing such operations “until ISIS networks are entirely dismantled and their ideological and logistical bases are eradicated.”
While northeast Syria remains relatively stable under the control of the SDF and AANES, it exists within a volatile regional security context. Both ISIS and other armed actors exploit tribal grievances, economic hardships, and border vulnerabilities to sustain low-level insurgency tactics.
Analysts note that Deir ez-Zor, with its porous terrain and complex socio-political fabric, remains a focal point for ISIS activity despite the intensive efforts of local and international security forces.
Thursday’s operation is the latest indication that ISIS retains some operational capability but faces increasing pressure as the SDF escalates intelligence-led missions in coordination with coalition partners.
The successful arrest of ten ISIS operatives without civilian casualties signals growing efficiency in SDF counterinsurgency operations. However, commanders caution that long-term stability requires not only security operations but also continued support for governance, economic recovery, and community reconciliation in former conflict zones.
With regional dynamics in flux and the potential for renewed security threats from other factions or geopolitical shifts, the SDF’s role as a stabilizing force in northeast Syria remains vital.
As the region navigates these complexities, continued operations like Thursday’s demonstrate a clear message: sleeper cells will find little room to maneuver in areas under SDF control.