SDF announces arrest of ISIS cell members in Raqqa countryside
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on Friday the arrest of several members of the Islamic State (ISIS) during a security operation carried out in the countryside of Raqqa, northern Syria, with support from the International Coalition.
In a statement published on its official website, the SDF said its forces, backed by the Coalition, conducted a “qualitative security operation” on Wednesday targeting ISIS sleeper cells operating in the al-Hamrat and al-Jadida areas of Raqqa countryside.
“Our forces, with support from the International Coalition, carried out a precise security operation aimed at arresting a number of members of the terrorist ISIS organization,” the statement said.
According to the SDF, the operation followed “careful and meticulous planning” after collecting verified intelligence and evidence regarding the activities of the ISIS cell in the area. Security units moved to the targeted locations and arrested two ISIS members, in addition to two other individuals who were cooperating with the cell.
The statement noted that the cooperating individuals were providing the ISIS cell with information about the movements of SDF forces and the locations of their military points.
The SDF said those arrested confessed to their affiliation with ISIS and to their involvement in carrying out terrorist activities in the region. According to the statement, these activities included coordination and communication with other ISIS cells, participation in attacks targeting SDF military positions, and attempts to carry out individual assassination operations.
The SDF did not report any casualties during the operation, indicating that it was conducted with a focus on minimizing risks to civilians in the targeted areas.
With backing from the Global Coalition, the SDF continues to conduct raids and arrests based on intelligence-driven operations, particularly in rural areas where ISIS cells attempt to exploit security gaps.