SDF arrests ISIS leader in eastern Syria

In an operation carried out by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Deir ez-Zor, a leader of the Islamic State (ISIS) extremist group was arrested, the alliance said. The statement pointed out that the arrested man was involved in supplying ISIS cells in the al-Hol camp with explosives, weapons and ammunition, as well as their family members with forged identity documents.

According to the SDF, the attack on the ISIS leader took place in the village of Al-Izba on the northern outskirts of Deir ez-Zor and was carried out by the YAT counter-terrorism unit. The US-led coalition supported the operation with air surveillance and ground forces. The name of the ISIS leader remains unknown. The SDF also reported that the arrested jihadist had links to ISIS “emirs” in Serekaniye (Ras al-Ain). The originally Kurdish city in northern Syria has been occupied by Turkey and its Islamist allies since autumn 2019.

The SDF concluded its statement by saying: “With unwavering determination, our forces continue their relentless efforts in counter-terrorism operations. These operations are carried out in cooperation with the international coalition forces, aiming to fortify security and stability in the regions of NE Syria and ultimately eradicate ISIS terrorism.”

The self-proclaimed ISIS took control of large parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014, declaring a “caliphate”. Despite the loss of territory, the jihadist militia’s sleeper cells are still active and carrying out attacks. In 2022, ISIS claimed around 280 attacks in Syria alone, most of them in regime areas. So far this year, ISIS has claimed responsibility for more than 100 attacks. More than 400 people have been killed and hundreds injured.