SDF reveals outcomes of military operations against ISIS in June
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) revealed in a statement, on Friday, the outcome of operations it launched against the Islamic State organization (ISIS) sleeper cells, during June.
The SDF Press Center stated that the anti-terror forces continue the security operations against the ISIS hideouts, agents and leaders of in various regions of northeastern Syria.
The SDF, in collaboration with the US-led Global Coalition, carried out 11 security operations, according to the SDF statement.
During these operations 17 agents of ISIS were arrested, most of them were leaders, the statement read.
It stressed that the SDF killed two ISIS leaders in a security operation.
The ISIS leaders were involved in planning for terrorist operations in several areas, and in preparing Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs) and distributing them to other ISIS agents.
The SDF also said that it confiscated equipment and documents proving their involvement with ISIS sleeper cells.
The SDF center indicated that the ISIS arrestees confessed during investigations that they received material and military support from their leaders who are in areas held by Turkey and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) in northern Syria, especially in the cities of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) and Tel Abyad.
The SDF statement stressed the continuation of military operations against ISIS sleeper cells, warning that the continuous Turkish threats would negatively affect these operations, and would pave the way for other terrorist organizations to activate their cells in northeastern Syria.
In a speech after charring a government meeting on June 27, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that the new military operation in northern Syria will be implemented soon.
On June 1, Erdogan renewed his threats to invade northern Syria, and specified his targets in the two Syrian cities of Manbij and Tel Rifaat, which include many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the Turkish-occupied Afrin.
On May 25, Turkey’s National Security Council said that Turkey’s “existing and future military operations along its southern borders were necessary for the country’s security.” In the meeting, Erdogan delivered a speech to the MPs of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and said, “Turkish military would continue to rid its neighbor of terrorists” refers to the SDF.
On May 23, the Turkish president threatened to launch a new military operation in Syria to secure Turkey’s southern border.