The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Starting positions of IS*IS cells’ att*acks | US forces and SDF find secret hideout in “Al-Bag*hdadi” farm in southern Al-Raqqah

Al-Raqqah province: Reliable SOHR sources have reported that joint forces of Syria Democratic Forces and US forces stormed a farm, a few days ago, in Kesrat Faraj area on the southern outskirts of Al-Raqqah. The farm is publicly known as “Al-Baghdadi” farm, as “Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was staying in it during ISIS control of Al-Raqqah.

 

According to SOHR sources, the raid followed reports obtained by US forces and SDF of a secret hideout in the farm. The forces found accurately camouflaged three rooms inside the hideout with four barrels in them. The barrels contained a large amount of gold and money estimated to be nearly one million US dollar. Another section of the hideout also contained money and weapons used by ISIS members to carry out suicidal operation and surprise attacks in SDF-controlled areas. the money and weapons were transported to a warehouse of SDF and US forces.

 

This comes as a part of efforts to prosecute ISIS cells at a time when they have escalated their attacks in areas controlled by the Autonomous Administration in north and east Syria.

 

It is worth noting that ISIS had imposed its control on Al-Raqqah in 2014, before it was defeated and the province was freed of ISIS in 2017 by a comprehension operation launched by the International Coalition and SDF in 2017.

 

On January 9, SOHR sources reported that SDF Special Forces executed a security operation in Qairawan village in Al-Qamishly countryside in northern Al-Hasakah, and found a secret hideout for storing weapons, military equipment, explosive belts and booby-traps that belong to ISIS.

 

According to reliable SOHR sources, ISIS cells were using the hideout in committing their suicidal operations and sudden attacks within SDF-held areas in northern and eastern of Syria, where SDF members previously found hideouts in this region.