Arrest of mercenaries, including an ISIS cell leader, in Deir ez-Zor countryside

Women's Protection Units (YPJ) announced on their website that, in cooperation with the Syrian Democratic Forces, they arrested an ISIS senior and mercenaries during a special operation conducted on June 24 in Al-Shuhail town, eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor.

The units affirm that during this operation, they thwarted a plot by terrorists against the region, where mines were to be planted on public roads. They added that the mercenaries had carried out "terrorist acts" in the region, destabilizing the security and stability of the Deir ez-Zor region, while also spreading ISIS propaganda through the distribution of leaflets.

As to the facts of the operation, the units described in their statement: "Our forces pursued this cell for long enough, apprehended it in a special operation, and seized a large quantity of ammunition."

They also included the activities of the ISIS cell senior, a mercenary called Abdul Qader, who "carried out numerous acts of terrorism against residents. He is responsible for planting landmines in secret cells, threatening residents by leaflets and destabilizing the region. He especially threatens families whose members belong to the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Autonomous Administration. He finances ISIS through threatening them, and threatens poor families who do not donate money through leaflets."

The units confirmed their continued fight against ISIS mercenary cells and their commitment to maintaining continued security and stability in the area, in addition to other military and security components in northeastern Syria.

The units released video records of the operation preparation and the arrest moments of the mercenaries.

T/S

ANHA