ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Thursday announced the capture of two suspected members of the Islamic State (ISIS) accused of planning acts of terror in northeast Syria (Rojava).
“On June 12th, our SDF Commando forces conducted a successful security operation in Al-Shuhail town, Deir Ezzor’s eastern countryside. The operation targeted a dangerous terrorist cell of ISIS consisting of two terrorists who were involved in numerous terrorist acts in the area,” read a statement from the SDF.
The two individuals were involved in attacks against the Kurdish-led force and civilians in Rojava, according to the SDF.
“Their involvement included planning and participating in bombings, planting IEDs, and carrying out assassinations, particularly within the Deir Ezzor countryside,” the statement added.
ISIS rose to power and seized swathes of Iraqi and Syrian land amid a brazen offensive in 2014, declaring a so-called “caliphate”.
Though ISIS no longer controls any territory, it continues to pose a security risk by carrying out kidnappings, hit-and-run attacks, and bombings and the SDF conducts frequent operations against the group.
In late March, the SDF warned that ISIS still poses a threat to the world and the region as its defeat “requires dismantling its ideological breeding ground.”
“ISIS is still trying to recruit new terrorist elements, attempting to radicalize them into its ranks,” said the SDF, calling on the international community to “collaborate effectively” with its forces.
Last year, the SDF arrested more than 350 ISIS members in areas they control.
