SDF conducts 5 operations, arrests 11 mercenaries, including 4 ISIS leaders

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Internal Security Forces (Asayish) continue their operations against ISIS mercenary cells within the region of North and East Syria. During November, they conducted five new operations, resulting in the arrest of a number of ISIS mercenaries, including leaders of cells that attacked the region 22 times during the same month. The details are as follows:

On November 1st, the SDF conducted an operation in the town of Tal al-Saman, north of Raqqa canton, resulting in the arrest of five ISIS mercenaries, including three leaders involved in targeting security checkpoints and civilian institutions. On November 6, the Internal Security Forces conducted a security operation in northern Deir ez-Zor canton, resulting in the arrest of three ISIS mercenaries.

On November 8, the Transitional Military Operations Teams (TOL) of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in direct field coordination with the International Coalition forces, conducted a security operation inside al-Hol camp, resulting in the arrest of an ISIS cell leader named Bahaa al-Masiri, nicknamed Abu Abdul Rahman, an Iraqi national.

On November 19, the SDF shot down two ISIS drones that had been launched from positions held by the Syrian Interim Government forces on the Ghanem al-Ali village axis in the eastern countryside of Raqqa canton.

On October 20, the Internal Security Forces announced the dismantling of a two-member ISIS cell. They released confessions stating that they were recruited by an individual residing in Damascus and received logistical and financial support from a leader based in the Turkish-occupied city of Ras al-Ain. The cell's purpose was to carry out attacks against military and security forces in North and East Syria.

This brings the total number of security operations conducted by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Internal Security Forces against ISIS cells to five, resulting in the arrest of 11 ISIS members, including four cell leaders.

Our agency previously reported that the SDF and the Internal Security Forces conducted six security operations against ISIS cells in North and East Syria during October, resulting in the arrest of 79 ISIS members, including two leaders.

Overall, the number of security operations carried out by the Syrian Democratic Forces and security forces against ISIS cells since the beginning of this year 2025 has risen to 81 operations, resulting in the arrest of 185 mercenaries, including 9 leaders, and the elimination of 7 mercenaries, including two leaders, according to what ANHA agency has monitored based on official data and statements from both sides.

ANHA