SDF launches “Al-Jazeera Thunderbolt” to pursue ISIS cells in NE Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on Thursday launching Operation “Al-Jazeera Thunderbolt” in the countryside of both Hasakah and Qamishli, northeast Syria, to pursue sleeper cells of Islamic State Organization (ISIS).
The SDF Media Center said at about 01:00 am the SDF, with the participation of Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish) and in coordination with the US-led Global Coalition, targeted the areas of Hawl and Tel Hamis in Hasakah and Qamishli.
The SDF revealed in a statement that the campaign has been launched in the areas from which “recent terrorist attacks” were launched against Hawl Camp, Hasakah and south of Qamishli and that “could be source for possible attacks.”
The statement stressed that ISIS “criminal activity” has recently emerge against residents of the region in tandem with continuous Turkish attacks against areas of northeast Syria.
On Nov.20, Turkish forces launched fierce assault, using warplanes, drones and artillery against areas in north Syria, targeting infrastructures and public facilitates in addition to killing and wounding a number of civilians and military personnel of the SDF and the government too.
The group has recently increased “the arming and financing activity” and attacks the last of which were the attack on a prison where ISIS “criminal elements” are held and another attack on an Asayish center in the city of Raqqa, in addition to eight “failed attempted attacks” on Hawl Camp and areas in Deir ez-Zor and Hasakah following the recent Turkish assault, the statement read.
On Dec. 26, ISIS sleeper cells attacked Asayish headquarters in Raqqa, claiming the lives of six members of Asayish and the SDF and wounding others.