ISIS "Assassination Cell" arrested in Raqqa
Northern Syria – North-Press Agency
North-Press has obtained documents revealing the Counter-terrorism Forces of the Internal Security Forces in Raqqa have arrested members of “assassination cell” of the Islamic State (ISIS) in the city.
According to the documents and after the elimination of the Islamic State, a cell called “Assassination Cell” has operated secretly within the group’s sleeper cells in the city.
The assassination cell was holding secret meetings. On July 23 the cell, led by “Muhammad Sabah Abbas” met in Raqqa to discuss the attack which had taken place two days before the meeting by the counter-terrorism forces, during which “Hassan al-Jamsa Hamdan” was arrested, who was one of the main members of the cell.
During the “Assassination Cell” meeting, Muhammad Sabah Abbas discussed the orders which he received from “Ahmad al-Halshoum”, nicknamed Sheikh al-Gaddafi (head of the secret Shoura Council of Syria), to take revenge against security forces over the arrest of Ali Hussein.
In vengeance for Hussein’s arrest, the cell leader has informed the members that he had two booby-trapped cars which would be transported to Raqqa to carry out the attack, warning the members of the cell from using their mobile phones for several days, in fear that Hussein would confess and give their names and phone numbers.
The last meeting
On August 1, the leader of the “Assassination Cell” Muhammad Sabah Abbas held a meeting in his private car while driving inside the city of Raqqa.
He discussed with the leaders who were inside the car the fears of arrests which affect the leaders of the cell, especially after the arrest of Hussein, noting the recent attack on the whereabouts of the group’s member Ahmad Munzer Hamdo.
The cell leader added that they would retaliate against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on August 4 in the same week, waiting for the green light and the orders by “Sheikh al-Gaddafi” (the head of the secret Shoura Council of Syria) to begin the assassinations.
Incognito leader
“Hassan Fawaz Kassab”, better known as al-Mukhtar, is the leader of ISIS in Raqqa, who maintained his legal status in Germany (his former place of residence). He had been traveling every two or three months for long periods between Germany and the Syrian city of Raqqa, according to the documents which North Press has obtained.
Kassab maintained his job at his official institution under the auspices of the German government, which manages reconstruction and contracting projects in Raqqa.
Hassan Fawaz Kassab “al-Mukhtar” Foundation also maintained an unknown professional relationship with the US government’s reconstruction efforts in Raqqa.
Sheikh al-Gaddafi the (head of the secret Shoura Council of Syria), exploited Kassab’s work in the US-backed “Euphrates” program in Raqqa to fund ISIS operations in the city.
A source in the Security Forces told North Press that they arrested Hassan Fawaz Kassab, who was supporting and financing the terrorist group secretly.
The group continues to fund and support itself by exploiting and recruiting some people who work for NGOs which are supported by governments of some countries to carry out its operations in the region.