SDF, Asayish launch anti-ISIS large-scale operation in Hasakah
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish) launched on Saturday a large-scale operation in the city of Hasakah, northeastern Syria, targeting individuals accused of belonging to sleeper cells of the Islamic State (ISIS), a security source told North Press.
According to the source, all entrances and exits of the city were sealed off, with vehicles banned from entering or leaving Hasakah, as security units deployed across the city.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing dozens of military vehicles and personnel moving along the M4 Highway late Friday night toward Hasakah, ahead of the operation.
Despite the territorial defeat of ISIS in 2019, sleeper cells of the group remain active in northeastern Syria, carrying out assassinations, bombings, and ambushes.
Hasakah has been a focal point of ISIS activity, most notably during the January 2022 attack on al-Sina’a Prison, which triggered days of violent clashes. The SDF and the Asayish regularly conduct sweeping operations across the region to prevent ISIS from reestablishing networks or staging large-scale attacks.
As of the time of publication, neither the Asayish nor the SDF had issued an official statement regarding the operation.