US-backed forces conduct anti-ISIS operations in eastern Syria
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Special units of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) conducted two anti-ISIS operations in rural Deir Al-Zor province.
“Our SDF Special Units enabled by local military councils conducted two security and military operations against Daesh (Arabic acronym for ISIS) terrorist cells” in Deir al-Zor, the SDF press office said on Wednesday.
The anti-terror teams killed a "dangerous terrorist" and captured another. The first operation took place Jazrat al-Milaj, where the SDF fighters neutralized the suspected ISIS leader known as Abu Hamza Shamia.
The SDF alleged Shamia was behind a bombing on Feb. 10 that killed five fighters of the Deir al-Zor Military Council in the al-Zir village, in the eastern countryside Deir al-Zor.
The Kurdish-led forces conducted the second operation in the Zugair village, in the western countryside of Deir al-Zor, SDF forces arrested suspected ISIS member Shukri Kamal Khalil.
The SDF command accused Shukri of being an ISIS logistics specialist in Deir al-Zor province. It also noted the forces confiscated "large quantities of weapons, ammunition, and narcotics” during his capture.
The SDF also announced on Sunday that they arrested ISIS financier Muhammed Ahmad Karaz, saying “Karz was responsible for funding and financing the Daesh terrorist cells in north and eastern Syria and their families in the al-Hol camp.”
Read More: SDF detains suspected ISIS financier in Raqqa
Despite the SDF and the US-led coalition announcing the defeat of the extremist group’s so-called caliphate on March 23, 2019, ISIS sleeper cell attacks continue in areas that were liberated from the militants.
ISIS launched a large-scale attack on al-Sina'a prison, which holds 3,000 to 3,500 suspected terrorists, with an explosive-laden car on Jan. 20 as detainees rioted inside.
Read More: US-led coalition says SDF cleared Hasakah prison from enemy fighters
The SDF announced on Jan. 30 that it fully recaptured al-Sina'a following the surrender of the remaining ISIS fighters there.