SDF and CENTCOM Strike at ISIS: High-Profile Cell Leader Captured in Syria
The capture of Al-Abdullah marks another step in the relentless effort to weaken ISIS’s operational capabilities and safeguard the region from renewed threats.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - In a coordinated operation on March 6, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), enabled by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), successfully captured Salah Mohammad Al-Abdullah, an ISIS cell leader, in the vicinity of Shahil, Syria, according to a CENTCOM statement on Saturday.
During the raid, SDF forces seized a significant cache of weapons, including a 12.7mm (.50 Cal) sniper rifle, an AK-47, hand grenades, and various other firearms and ammunition. The mission is part of the ongoing Defeat-ISIS campaign aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and preventing the group's resurgence.
CENTCOM played a critical role in the operation, providing technical support and intelligence to ensure its success. The capture of Al-Abdullah marks another step in the relentless effort to weaken ISIS’s operational capabilities and safeguard the region from renewed threats.
Syrian Democratic Forces, Enabled by CENTCOM Forces, Capture ISIS Cell Leader
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 8, 2025
On March 6, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), enabled by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces, conducted a raid and captured Salah Mohammad Al-Abdullah, an ISIS cell leader in the vicinity of Shahil,… pic.twitter.com/kPbcyC4FGX
Since its territorial defeat in 2019, ISIS has continued to operate through sleeper cells, carrying out assassinations, ambushes, and bombings across Syria and Iraq. The SDF, backed by the U.S.-led coalition, remains at the forefront of counterterrorism efforts in northeastern Syria, where the terrorist group still poses a serious security challenge.
Read More: SDF’s Drone Warfare: A Tactical Shift in Syria’s Ongoing Conflict
Shahil, a town in Deir ez-Zor province, has been a hotspot for ISIS activity, making it a strategic focus for anti-terror operations. The latest raid is part of a broader effort to degrade ISIS’s influence and disrupt its ability to recruit, fund, and carry out attacks in the region.
The U.S. and its allies continue to support local security forces in their mission to prevent the resurgence of ISIS, reinforcing the stability of areas liberated from the group's rule.
