The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

International Coalition Carries out Aerial Landings in Eastern Euphrates

The US-led international coalition against ISIS, in cooperation with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), carried out aerial landings in the eastern Euphrates region in pursuit of remaining ISIS terrorist cells.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Saturday that the SDF, backed by aerial cover from the coalition, carried out a raid against a house in the Takihi village in the eastern Deir Ezzour countryside.

Clashes ensued with several people, including Iraqis, inside the house. Two Syrian brothers and three Iraqis, including a woman, were killed and eight Iraqis and a Syrian were arrested in the operation.

The SDF also raided a house in the town of al-Shuhayl town in the eastern Deir Ezzour countryside. It confiscated machine guns and arrested two people at the house.

The Observatory also revealed that the coalition carried out aerial landings in the city of Raqqa.

In the first landing, a helicopter landed in the Sayf al-Dawla street and another landed in the northern al-Badu neighborhood. Coalition warplanes flew overhead and SDF forces deployed heavily on the ground as the operations were carried out.

The Observatory said that the operations sought to arrest three arms dealers in Raqqa who sold weapons to ISIS cells in the city.

Despite ISIS’ military defeat in the eastern Euphrates region, especially in SDF-controlled areas, the group continues to operate cells that carry out bombings, attacks, assassinations and murders against civilians, fighters and SDF members, including its Asayesh internal security forces.

Observatory sources estimated that there are between 4,000 to 5,000 members, who have formed sleeper cells in villages, towns, and cities controlled by the SDF. Some of the cells are affiliated to ISIS, while others are loyal to or are paid by regional powers in order to stoke chaos in the region and target the SDF.

Source: International Coalition Carries out Aerial Landings in Eastern Euphrates – Gulf Daily News