Operation „Enduring Security“
Despite all the efforts of the self-government in northern and eastern Syria, the IS threat has not been averted, particularly in the areas around al-Hol, Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor. With the support of the Syrian regime and Turkey, IS repeatedly tries to destabilize the region. The internment camp for relatives of IS mercenaries in al-Hol makes the region even more dangerous. The camp is even described as the secret capital of IS. The security forces (Asayîş) in northern and eastern Syria, together with the women’s defense units YPJ and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), launched an operation against IS cells on Wednesday. The operation, called “Enduring Security,” covers an area of approximately 100 square kilometers around al-Hol and Şedadê (al-Shaddadi). A security operation is also taking place in the camp.
The target of the operation is IS cells trying to take up positions near Camp Hol and infiltrate the camp. There were several IS attacks on internal security force patrols in the region last month.
On the first day of the operation, the security forces were able to arrest 40 members of IS cells and uncover many IS hideouts in the border area with Iraq. These were natural caves and earth deposits. During the searches of suspects’ houses, a battle broke out when two IS mercenaries used firearms. One of them was killed by the security forces and another was injured. Large quantities of weapons and ammunition were also confiscated during the operation.
