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Syrian security forces arrested more than 12 suspects during a recent security operation against ISIS cells in the western Daraa countryside, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on December 8.
According to the UK-based monitoring group, some of the suspects are related to Abu Ali Al-Baridi, a former leader of the Khalid ibn Al-Walid Army. Al-Baridi was reportedly one of the founders of the ISIS-affiliated group that controlled the al-Yarmouk basin in western Daraa for years. The infamous terrorist was assassinated by ISIS’ rival in Syria, the al-Nusra Front [now known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham], three years ago.
“This is the first time the areas, which were controlled by the Khalid ibn al-Walid Army, have been raided,” local sources told the SOHR.
The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) neutralized the Khalid ibn al-Walid Army last July with direct support from former Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters. Since then, both sides have been cooperating to maintain security and stability in southern Syria.
