The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched a coordinated security operation in the northern Syrian city of Raqqa on Saturday morning. The aim is to dismantle sleeper cells of the terrorist organization ISIS, according to the SDF Media Center.
The operation is being carried out in cooperation with the troops of the international anti-ISIS coalition. It is part of the SDF’s ongoing anti-terrorism mission, which aims to permanently eliminate the remaining structures of ISIS.
According to the SDF, this is a broad-based and strategically coordinated operation that will continue until all threats from ISIS cells in the region have been neutralized. Five ISIS members were arrested during the operation.
The target of the operation was a hideout in the village of Tell Samin in northern Raqqa, where, according to intelligence information, members of an active ISIS cell were staying. The group is accused of preparing attacks on SDF positions and civilian facilities of the autonomous administration in the region.
According to the SDF, three alleged leaders of the ISIS cell network are among those arrested. They are said to have been involved not only in concrete plans for attacks, but also in attempts to cause unrest in the region through targeted actions.
The raid was carried out as part of a coordinated operation involving military special forces, security and intelligence services, and the international coalition, which provided aerial reconnaissance and operational support.
SDF announces further operations against ISIS cells
The SDF described the operation as the result of “close and coordinated cooperation” between all agencies involved. The statement thanked the coalition forces for their ongoing cooperation in the fight against ISIS. This cooperation is a “central foundation for security and stability in northern and eastern Syria,” it said.
“Our operations to dismantle ISIS cells will continue. Anyone who threatens security in the region will be targeted by our forces,” the SDF Media Center said. “We won’t let ISIS get back into the region. People or groups trying to cause trouble have no place in northern and eastern Syria,” the statement said.