Syrian Democratic Forces arrest an ISIS leader south of Hasakah city, continue anti-terrorism operations in Deir ez-Zor

HASAKAH, Syria – As the terrorist activity of the Islamic State (ISIS) increases in North and East Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in cooperation with the U.S.-led international coalition, launched a large-scale operation in which they arrested an ISIS leader in the town of Ash-Shaddadi, south of Hasakah city.

On 8 April, the Anti-Terrorism Forces (HAT) of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) arrested Muhammad Rashid Dhiyab, “Emir” of ISIS’s Health Bureau.

ISIS activity has been increasing in many areas of North and East Syria, especially after the Turkish-led invasion of the border region in October 2019.

The Manbij Military Council announced last week that it had killed a foreign national ISIS member who entered the city from the Turkish occupation areas and was attempting to carry out a terrorist operation in the city of Mabbug (Manbij).

Although ISIS activity has been increasing throughout the region, the organization has been particularly active in the eastern desert towns and villages of Deir ez-Zor and Hasakah.

The SDF’s Anti-Terrorism Forces have recently launched a large-scale operation against ISIS cells around Deir ez-Zor, arresting four ISIS members in the past few days.

During the last 72 hours, our units with air support from the #international_coalition have carried out two operations against #ISIS cells, and arrested 4 elements of the active cells in #DeirEzzor, as part of the ongoing efforts to combat and tighten the noose on ISIS activities pic.twitter.com/Y7MTs50ZDW

— Coordination & Military Ops Center – SDF (@cmoc_sdf) April 13, 2020