SDF, Global Coalition arrest ISIS leader, 2 militants in NE Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on Tuesday the arresting of a leader of Islamic State Organization (ISIS) and two other militants, in addition to seizing military ammunition during joint operations with the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
SDF Media Center said Counter-Terrorism Units (YAT) and the Global Coalition forces conducted three operations in the towns of Hawl and Tel Hamis, and Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria, targeting the headquarters of ISIS sleeper cells.
On Dec. 4, the Global Coalition forces conducted two separate patrols that roamed oil fields and areas in northeast Syria.
As a result, ISIS leader and two other militants were arrested, as they were providing ISIS sleeper cells with military ammunition, with the aim to target ISIS jails and the Hawl Camp east of Hasakah.
The operation resulted in the confiscation of military ammunition, including a kalashnikov rifle, a pistol, two grenades, a rifle scope, four quivers, several ammunition magazines, quantities of explosive materials, and several smartphones.
Activities by the sleeper cells of the ISIS in northeast Syria have notably been on the rise recently following Turkish attacks on areas in north and northeast Syria that targeted an area surrounding the Hawl Camp and also a prison in the city of Qamishli where thousands of ISIS militants are held.
On November 20, Turkish air forces and artillery initiated an unprecedented bombardment campaign against the region targeting vital facilities and infrastructure in the whole region extending from north of Aleppo in the northwest up to Derik city in the far northeast.