Security forces of North and East Syria launch new counter-terror operation in Raqqa, arrest three in Dayro Zcuro

DAYRO ZCURO, North and East Syria — The Internal Security Forces (ISF) of North and East Syria and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched Operation Retaliation for the Martyrs of Raqqa on Wednesday, targeting Islamic State (ISIS) cells in the city of Raqqa and the surrounding countryside. In a separate targeted raid, the SDF arrested three suspected terrorists in a raid carried out in the countryside of Dayro Zcuro (Deir ez-Zor). Meanwhile, across the border, Iraqi security forces arrested six suspected terrorists in Salah al-Din Governorate.

The operation will be carried out in coordination with the US-led International Coalition with the aim of pursuing terrorist cells and destroying channels of communication between them, as well as removing potential hideouts and denying them a suitable environment from which to plan future attacks and conduct recruiting operations.

The operation began on Wednesday with dozens of raids in and around Raqqa, Tabqa, Karama, and Sarren.

On Saturday, the anti-terrorism units of the SDF forces carried out a security operation in the eastern countryside of Dayro Zcuro with the participation of US-led International Coalition forces. An ISIS official and two others were arrested. Several weapons and other military equipment in their possession were seized.

In Iraq, the security forces arrested six suspected ISIS members in Salah al-Din Governorate during raids conducted across the governorate. Among the detainees were men suspected of working in ISIS’s so-called Office of Education and Zakat, the civil wing of Nineveh Province, and the Office of Mosques.