Asayish arrest new ISIS members in NE Syria amid renewed security threat
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – An officer of the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish) told North Press on Monday that new ISIS-linked cells and individuals who have recently pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group have been arrested in northeastern Syria.
Ali al-Hassan, an Asayish officer, said that ISIS has begun reorganizing its ranks since the fall of the al-Assad regime.
“Over the past year, we dismantled and arrested 43 criminal cells, including 23 affiliated with ISIS, in addition to neutralizing 57 explosive devices,” al-Hassan said.
He explained that following the military defeat of ISIS in Baghuz, security forces entered a new phase focused on pursuing the group’s sleeper cells.
Al-Hassan noted that ISIS has exploited the vast desert areas stretching across Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and Palmyra to regroup and reorganize.
“This is a clear indication of the danger posed by dealing with this organization,” he said, stressing that “the war against ISIS is not over.”