SDF, coalition raid ISIS locations in Deir ez-Zor

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Global Coalition and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) carried out an airborne operation against Islamic State (ISIS) suspects in Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria early on Thursday, according to local sources.

One of the suspects, believed to be an Iraqi national, was arrested in the operation while two others blew themselves up, according to Deir ez Zor 24.

The SDF blocked access to Azzir village and warned locals not to leave their homes ahead of the operation, the news agency added.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) also reported on the raid.

According to the war monitor, the SDF raid targeted two houses in the village, adding that they were not owned by anyone affiliated with the terror group. SDF members seized money, gold and phones from the scene before storming a mobile phone shop and confiscating its contents, according to a report.

Rudaw English emailed the coalition for a comment but is yet to receive a reply.

Deir ez-Zor is the focal point of ISIS attacks in north and east Syria, with 73% of March attacks taking place in the province, according to Rojava Information Centre.

The province is home to Baghouz- the last ISIS stronghold, which was liberated in March 2019.

Unknown gunmen have recently extorted locals in the rural provincial town of Al-Busayrah, according to SOHR.

ISIS, which seized control of swathes of Iraq and Syria in 2014, was declared defeated in late 2017 and early 2019 in Iraq and Syria respectively. However, remnants of the group have returned to their earlier insurgency tactics, ambushing security forces, kidnapping and executing suspected informants, and extorting money from vulnerable rural populations.

ISIS has also taken advantage of recent instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to increase insurgent activities in both Iraq and Syria.

Iraqi and Kurdish security forces in Iraq’s Kirkuk, Saladin and Diyala provinces have been targeted in a spate of attacks in recent weeks.

In neighbouring Syria, ISIS prisoners have held riots in detention facilities – described by the Kurdish-led forces as “ticking bomb.”

A Hasaka riot only came to an end after the US-led coalition and SDF “negotiated” with inmates at Geweran prison last week, according to the SDF.