SDF arrests ISIS leader north of Syria’s Deir ez-Zor
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – During a security operation on Monday, special units of the Syrian Democratic Forces arrested a leader of a security cell of the Islamic State Organization (ISIS) in the northern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, a governorate east Syria.
A military source told North Press that the operation was carried out based on aerial and ground support from the US-led Global Coalition. The operation resulted in the arrest of the leader in Ruwaished badia in the northern countryside of Deir ez-Zor.
The cell of the leader is responsible for transferring information, identifying goals, planning and putting methods to implement hard-line attacks against security, military and service targets in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor and other areas northeast Syria, according to the source.
During the process of checking, the units found and confiscated weapons, equipment, documents and military clothes the leader owned.
On Sunday, the SDF disclosed that its special units, in cooperation with the Global Coalition, captured a funding cell affiliated with the ISIS in the town of al-Hawl east of Hasakah.
Residents of northeast Syria voice concern over the ISIS activities in an attempt to reorganize itself in light of successive Turkish threats to invade the region.
On May 23, Erdogan announced taking steps to complete the so-called remained portions of the “safe zone” plan along Turkey’s southern border saying, “We will soon take new steps regarding the incomplete portions of the project we started on the 30 km deep safe zone we established along our southern border.”
The Turkish “safe zone” is an area of 30-35 km (19-22 miles) deep into Syrian territory that Turkey started establishing in 2019 to house Syrian refugees in an area along its border with Syria, as well as to keep it free from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which it regards as terrorists.
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 neighbour of terrorists” refers to the SDF.
On June 1, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan renewed his threats of launching a military operation on northern Syria, and specified his targets in the two Syrian cities of Manbij and Tel Rifaat, which include many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).