Arrests in operations against ISIS, a major threat in north and east Syria

Operations against ISIS in northern and eastern Syria, particularly in Deir ez-Zor, continue at a steady pace. The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as well as many human rights organizations and the International Coalition, have repeatedly stressed the danger of an ISIS resurgence. Moreover, after the Turkish state stepped up its attacks in early October, the United States warned that Turkey was jeopardizing the fight against ISIS.

As the Turkish offensive intensifies, large-scale operations against ISIS continue unabated. The Media Center of the Internal Security Forces (HAT) announced on its official website the arrest of 6 ISIS members. In its statement, HAT said that “in a qualitative operation on 22 October in the western countryside of Deir ez-Zor, the forces managed to dismantle an ISIS cell and arrest six of its members involved in terrorist acts”.

The statement continued: “After investigations and intelligence operations carried out by our security forces in the General Security Service against ISIS cells involved in assassinations and detonating explosive devices, as well as members working within media agencies affiliated to the ISIS terrorist organization, our security forces were able to determine the whereabouts of six individuals.” HAT also confiscated a number of weapons and ammunition during the operation, including rifles, pistols and bombs.

In another operation conducted by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the town of Tal Hamis, an ISIS member was captured. The SDF surrounded the terrorist’s location, arrested him and seized a quantity of explosives, weapons and ammunition. According to the SDF, the captured ISIS fighter was about to carry out a terrorist act in the region and was also involved in several terrorist attacks targeting the SDF and civilian and service facilities.