SDF capture 38 ISIS suspects

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Saturday announced the capture of 38 suspected members of the Islamic State (ISIS) accused of planning acts of terror in northeast Syria (Rojava).

The SDF conducted an operation early Saturday morning alongside the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) that “resulted in the capturing of 38 ISIS cell suspects in addition to seizing a quantity of weapons and ammunition they possessed,” according to a statement from the force’s press center.

“According to initial information, the captured suspects were planning to carry out terrorist acts against the city’s residents,” added the statement.

Though ISIS no longer controls any territory, it continues to pose a security risk carrying out kidnappings, hit-and-run attacks, and bombings and the SDF conducts frequent operations against the group.

In Late February, the SDF captured 16 people accused of being members or affiliated with ISIS in Hasaka. 

In the same month, SDF spokesperson Farhad Shami announced that their anti-terror forces (YAT), with the help of the global coalition, captured a key ISIS operative named Husin Nawaf al-Husin in Deir ez-Zor. Husin is accused of being responsible for ISIS operations “targeting military forces and civil institutions.”

Last year, the SDF arrested more than 350 ISIS members in areas they control.