SDF announces dismantling ISIS sleeper cell in Deir ez-Zor
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on Tuesday the dismantling of a terrorist cell affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria.
The SDF Media Center said the SDF’s Counter-Terrorism Units (YAT), in a joint operation with the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, “successfully dismantled a dangerous ISIS terrorist cell in the town of al-Dahla, eastern Deir ez-Zor.”
The statement added that after extensive intelligence gathering, the YAT units “surrounded the cell’s location with aerial support and surveillance by coalition forces.”
The ISIS cell terrorists refused calls to surrender and opened fire at YAT units that responded, resulting in the killing of all five ISIS cell members, the statement read.
The cell included top-ranking ISIS leaders, Abu Khattab, and Abu Hawija, in addition to three other militants, the SDF added in the statement.
“The terrorist cell was responsible of atrocities, including the May 10 suicide VBIED attack on our post in al-Shahil and yesterday’s suicide VBIED attack in al-Ozbeh town.”
The SDF statement included that “the cell also had links to ISIS leadership in Turkish-occupied territories, particularly Sere Kaniye and Tel Abyad, in northern Syria.”