Internal Security Forces ramp up campaigns against mercenary cells in Deir-ez-Zor

The Internal Security Forces in Deir-ez-Zor canton have recently stepped up their security campaigns, including raids and round-the-clock patrols and close monitoring on the roads. This comes against the backdrop of growing ISIS mercenary cell activity in the province. This prompted security agencies to step up efforts to ensure the security and stability of the province.

The Syrian Democratic Forces revealed in a press release on 22 September that:

"Over the period from the fall of the Ba'ath regime on 8 December 2024, until 20 September, ISIS cells launched 153 attacks in areas of north and east Syria, a rate which indicates an attempt at reorganization and expansion of the scope of their activity."

In a press release to our agency, Colonel Mahmoud Al-Hussein, General Directorate of Internal Security Forces in Deir ez-Zor, stated that their forces have started to intensify their operations to provide security and stability, by carrying out round-the-clock patrols and raiding many active ISIS cells in different parts of the canton.

Mahmoud Al-Hussein also noted that operations also entail security screening and monitoring of crossing points between northeast Syria and areas under the control of the Syrian transitional government in an effort to prevent any attempt to fill the security vacuum in pursuing attacks.

Al-Hussein said that ISIS exploited the disintegration of the past regime and its withdrawal from several of its military positions in Deir ez-Zor to seize deserted weapons and employ them to target areas in northern Syria, particularly in Deir ez-Zor canton, at various security and military positions along with civilians.

Al-Hussein explained that ISIS exploited the security void after the breakdown of the previous regime and intensified its activities, targeting internal security and the military, in addition to threatening citizens in an attempt to destabilize security and stability in northeast Syria.

He stressed that the Deir ez-Zor Internal Security Forces and northeast Syria in general are ready to confront any aggression on civilians or security officers and that their forces are deployed on a permanent basis inside and outside cities and towns in all cantons for public security and the protection of citizens and their property.

Al-Hussein declared that the Internal Security Forces dismantled a number of ISIS mercenary networks and cells, arrested the majority of them, and confiscated quantities of light and medium weapons belonging to them. He emphasized that these security operations succeeded in restricting the activity of ISIS cells and protecting civilians.

The Internal Security Forces' General Command member in Deir ez-Zor canton also appreciated the level of awareness among citizens in northeastern Syria regarding what is happening on the ground, particularly when it comes to conspiracies and private war against innocent civilians. He considered the extensive coordination between citizens and the Internal Security Forces as one of the key factors reinforcing security and stability in the canton.

Colonel Mahmoud al-Hussein, in a message to the Syrians, emphasized that the autonomous administration and all its components, Arabs, Syriacs, Kurds, and Armenians, have never ceased to be partners in fighting "terrorist cells." He went on to say that all components of society are but one, with one blood, and one people who do not discriminate between anyone due to nationality, religion, or race. He pledged to "continue to fight ISIS mercenaries and all forms of terrorism to ensure the safety and security of the country."

ANHA