Commander: Military action is not sufficient to defeat ISIS

The suburbs of Deir Ezzor city, eastern Syria, which were liberated during the years 2018-2019 from ISIS mercenaries, are the most areas witnessing the cells' movements.

Regarding this, the military commander in Deir Ezzor, Mohammed Jabr, referred to the movement of cells in the region, the various security operations of the Syrian Democratic Forces, the difficulties encountered by their forces, and the role that the international coalition plays in supporting their forces in the region.

The joint head of the Defense Body of Deir Ezzor Civil Council and the commander of the Deir Ezzor Military Council, Mohammed Jabr, came during a telephone statement to our agency, saying at the beginning, "Throughout Deir Ezzor, we have security operations against cells that move in the area."

The operations of the Syrian Democratic Security Forces and their expanded military campaign against cells in the countryside of Deir Ezzor has not stopped since its liberation after Al-Baghoz in March 2019, the most recent of which was the "Wadi Al-Ajej" campaign north of Deir Ezzor city in eastern Syria on April 14^th, in addition to its security operations in other separate areas of the Autonomous Administration.

The escalating movements of cells in these areas are not limited to ISIS only, but also cells with different ties and goals, as the Syrian Democratic Forces arrest from time to time cells linked to Turkey, and others linked to the Damascus government.

Cells of multiple allegiances

Jabr said, "As you know, the cells scattered in the area are many, and the existing cells are multi-linked, most of them are linked to ISIS."

He added, "There are also other cells linked to Turkey and the Syrian regime, and every day there are qualitative operations of our forces to strike those cells. In addition, our military forces were able to deal painful strikes on ISIS cells, in addition to pursuing other types of cells such as those supported by Turkey and the regime."

Despite the different objectives in the region, the movements remain similar and identical, all of which depend on targeting the military forces and officials in the Civil Administration in Deir Ezzor, as well as killing and intimidating community and tribal figures, in addition to collecting funds and information.

The last assassination took place on Friday, April 16^th, targeting the Civil Administration's advisor in the eastern line of Deir Ezzor region and a member of the Future Syria Party, on the road linking between the cities of Al-Hasakah and Deir Ezzor "Al-Khurafi."

The targeting of the official in the Civil Administration in Deir Ezzor came days after the Syrian Democratic Forces launched a security operation in that area, which was confirmed by the Co-chair of the Defense Body in Deir Ezzor, Mohammed Jabr, saying, "The operations of our military forces in the region are continuing to combat the cells, and we are witnessing them now in Wadi Al-Ajej."

The Syrian Democratic Forces in the region are facing many difficulties and obstacles to limit the movements of these cells, according to what Commander Mohammed Jabr pointed out, and he said, "There are many difficulties, the first of which is the large number of parties that intend to implant their cells in the region in order to destabilize its security and stability."

'Military action alone is not sufficient to eliminate ISIS'

He added, "The delay in liberating this area makes the tasks of our forces difficult, given the widespread thinking, since the region has recently liberated, and with military action alone, our forces are unable to limit the movements of these cells, and the delay in work on the service, living and security aspects is also one of those difficulties."

Jabr pointed out that those difficulties also include the absence of advanced military technology in their units, as well as and the media war facing their military forces and the Civil Administration in the region.

He said, "Until now, we have been able to limit the role of those parties that stir up strife through their media; however, more support and more shedding light on the reality of the region is required to reverse the media war in the interest of the region and its people."

In addition to the Syrian Democratic Forces, the international coalition forces are deployed on the outskirts of Deir Ezzor, through various military bases in that geographical area, the most important of which are the bases of "Al-Omar oil field and the Koniko gas field," in an attempt to support the anti-cell operation.

Jabr said, "The international coalition forces to fight ISIS are content with their presence in that region, and provide simple support from the military aspect to the Syrian Democratic Forces, as confirmed by the military commander, Mohammed Jabr.

Jabr continued, "The international coalition forces are present in the Deir Ezzor region, and they provide support, but it is not sufficient because the military support alone is not sufficient, and without establishing security and stability through raising awareness, providing services, and developing the region, efforts will not be sufficient to combat ISIS."

He added, "Even on the military level, there is not enough support for the forces, until now, we have not obtained any kind of weapons and advanced military technology, as well as security forces," noting that their presence will contribute to limiting the movement of cells, and will help eliminate them permanently.

D.H

ANHA