Farhad al-Shami: Enduring Security Operation achieved significant positive results

The Director of the Media Office of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Farhad Shami, evaluated the importance, factors, and results of the "Enduring Security" campaign for ANHA's agency. 

 Farhad Shami said about the operation, "This is the fourth operation our forces have conducted against ISIS sleeper cells in the Hol Camp and its outskirts since 2021.

 However, this operation was different as it targeted a wide area from Jazaa in Tel Kocher on the Iraqi border to Dashisha, where a vast area was cleared of either sleeper or active cells in that region, which had previously carried out several terrorist operations targeting civilians and military forces."

 Regarding the importance of the operation and the factors that ISIS mercenaries benefit from to reorganize their ranks, Shami added: "In general, every operation has significant importance, especially in recent times, where we notice a neglect of the ISIS file at the international level. ISIS has also benefited from certain existing conditions, such as Turkish state attacks and the Syrian regime's attacks on the region NE, Syria, as well as the wars occurring throughout the Middle East. All these factors have helped ISIS regain its strength. Additionally, they benefit from remote desert areas where they exploit them to organize themselves, particularly the areas controlled by the Syrian regime and some remote areas in the region, especially the area extending between the southern part of the al-Hol camp between al-Shaddadi and al-Dashisha, and in the northern part of the camp along the line of Tal Brak, Tal Hamis, and al-Jazaa."

 The head of the media office explained that two main factors are behind the operation, stating: "The immediate and urgent factor is the recent attacks by ISIS, and there is some intelligence information confirming ISIS's intention to launch attacks on the camp and other prisons." Alongside the strategic factor that our forces are undertaking in combating ISIS, our operations against ISIS are ongoing and long-term as a strategy of the Syrian Democratic Forces.

 Regarding the results achieved by the operation and the operations that preceded it, Shami confirmed by saying: “ISIS still poses a great and ongoing threat to the region and its threat still exists and the targeted area is a border area far from security eyes and strategic roads, and they are ISIS sites from which it launches its attacks on other areas. What we noticed in this operation is that the reality in al-Hol camp was different as a result of the past operations and their positive results, which is the fourth campaign. This was noticeable since the camp has changed since 2021 until now and there are good steps in the security aspect and ISIS attacks inside the camp have decreased in percentage and their dens have been destroyed and the women’s Hisbah and the Cubs of the Caliphate that are relied upon in the camp have been weakened. There was also a psychological impact on the camp residents who were exposed to pressure from ISIS and they now have hope. These are the results of the past campaigns. Once again, ISIS was determined to reorganize itself through the foreign women who are present and cooperating and a section of the local extremists who help ISIS. From this standpoint, the operation was launched and 79 mercenaries were arrested and a number of dens and tunnels were destroyed.”

 Farhad Shami concluded his speech by saying: "In my opinion, the operation achieved significant positive results, restoring security and safety to the people of the region and increasing their trust in the Syrian Democratic Forces that protect them. On the other hand, it sends a message to ISIS that it will not be able to revive itself here. The locals played a major role by cooperating with the forces, which is a message that they believe in the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Internal Security Forces. The positive stance of the people and their cooperation is greatly appreciated."

 T/ Satt.

ANHA