The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

New details of Coalition’s airdrop | ISIS leader said to be “explosive expert and drone specialist” arrested in an area hosting large number of ISIS leaders and members in north-eastern Aleppo countryside

SOHR activists have revealed new details about the security operation carried out by the International Coalition Forces in areas controlled by Turkish forces and their backed-factions north-east of Aleppo during the past hours.

Syrian Observatory sources have reported that Coalition Forces arrested three ISIS members in an airdrop operation: a senior leader who is an explosive expert and drone specialist and two escorts, amid unconfirmed reports about the arrest of three others.

Reliable sources have informed SOHR that the operation also aimed to arrest many other ISIS leaders and members present in that area in Jarabulus countryside. However, the news of flights by Coalition helicopters in that airspace prompted many ISIS members and leaders to change their places and redeploy in different areas, which impeded Coalition Forces from pursuing the operation.

The sources have also added that intelligence information about the presence of a large number of ISIS leaders and members in that area was obtained by SDF in cooperation with their proxies there, where an Islamist faction covers up ISIS leaders and members.

Coalition helicopters also came under attack with Dushka weapons while carrying out the airdrop  in Al-Humaira area in Jarabulus countryside, north-east of Aleppo

In addition, clashes erupted between Coalition Forces and ISIS fighters.

Earlier this morning, SOHR sources reported that International Coalition aircraft landed at 03:00 AM (Damascus time), at Lafarge base in Kharab Ashak area in Ain Al-Arab countryside (Kobani), east of Aleppo, following the completion of the security operation in areas controlled by Turkish forces and their proxy factions in the north-eastern countryside of Aleppo, which led to the arrest of a prominent ISIS leader. However, the identity of the ISIS leader remained unknown.

The base in Kharab Ashak became a starting point for such military operations against ISIS senior leaders, as happened with Al-Baghdadi and his successor Al-Qurashi in Idlib.

It is worth noting that Coalition military operations took place in areas controlled by HTS, Turkish forces and their proxy factions.

Yesterday afternoon, SOHR activists reported that US forces brought fuel trucks to the base in Kharab Ashak, and a number of SDF members were also granted leave by the Coalition as part of the careful and confidential preparation of the military operation.

A few hours earlier, “International Coalition” forces executed an airdrop operation in Al-Hamira village in northern Aleppo countryside, which is nearly four kilometres away from Turkish borders, where two helicopters landed near the targeted position.

In the same context, clashes with medium weapons took place between unidentified people in houses in Al-Hamira village, while they were being pursued by “International Coalition” members.

A few hours ago, “International Coalition” helicopter took off from Lafarge base in Ain Al-Arab (Kobani) countryside after it landed there On June 15, and headed towards areas held by Turkish-backed factions, in a situation that simulates the killing of Al-Baghdadi and his successor “Al-Qorashy” in Idlib.

Nearly nine “International Coalition” planes flew at low altitude over Al-Sajor line in north eastern Aleppo countryside, and shooting was heard in these areas, amid information about executing an airdrop operation in Al-Haimar area in Aleppo countryside.