Col. Wayne Marotto: We will continue to support the Syrian Democratic Forces in their fight against ISIS

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — Spokesman for the U.S.-led International Coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) Col. Wayne Marotto confirmed that the Coalition will continue its support of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in their common fight against ISIS in North and East Syria.

“During this week, the Syrian Democratic Forces carried out joint operations with the International Coalition to combat ISIS networks in North and East Syria,” said Marotto via Twitter. “We will stand with the Syrian Democratic Forces in its ongoing battle to defeat ISIS in Syria.”

Since the summer, the SDF have conducted a series of sweeping operations in and around Dayro Zcuro (Deir ez-Zor) to combat the presence of ISIS cells in the area.

To help secure the region, the SDF have conducted a series of sweeping operations targeting Islamic State and Syrian regime sleeper cells.

In June of this year, the SDF launched a large-scale counter-terror operation, Operation Deterring Terrorism, in Dayro Zcuro and the surrounding areas to combat the presence of Islamic State cells operating in the countryside.

In the following month of July, a second phase of Operation Deterring Terrorism was launched at the urging of locals still suffering from Islamic State attacks of various kinds. The second phase specifically targeted ISIS hideouts in the areas of Al-Basira, Al-Shahil, Al-Zer, Al-Zayban, and Al-Hawaij in the northern countryside of Dayro Zcuro. Dozens of suspected ISIS members were arrested during the operations.

In mid-October, SDF special units, in cooperation with the International Coalition carried out two joint operations in the countryside of Dayro Zcuro, resulting in the arrests of four suspected ISIS members and the seizure of weapons and ammunition. Another suspected ISIS member was arrested in the northeastern countryside of Hasakah Province.