The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced results of their recent security operation in southeastern Deir Ezzor in an official statement released on May 17.
“The SDF launched a campaign against ISIS sleeper cells in a 180 km long, 80 km wide area, and announced the campaign on the 15th of this month. 5,000 SDF fighters participated in the campaign,” The group said in the statement, which was read by a commander named Djuar Halab.
In the course of the operation, 42 members of the terrorist group were captured. Large quantities of weapons, including more than 40 sniper rifles, were also seized.
“Most of these weapons were seized in the desert of al-Dushisha,” the SDF explained in its statement .
The group claimed that the operation was aimed at securing the recently liberated areas in the southeastern Deir Ezzor countryside. These areas witnessed a series of hit and attacks and a wave of protests recently.
Some local observers believe that the SDF would fail to secure these areas on the long run, as the resentment is growing among local Arabs. ISIS is already trying to take advantage of this situation to fuel ethnic tensions.
Photos:
Click to see full-size image. Source: ANHA.
Click to see full-size image. Source: ANHA.
Click to see full-size image. Source: ANHA.
Click to see full-size image. Source: ANHA.
Click to see full-size image. Source: ANHA.
Click to see full-size image. Source: ANHA.
