Syria
Suspected ISIS members arrested by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in eastern Deir ez-Zor province on Decemebr 21, 2025. Photo: SDF media
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Tuesday announced the killing of three Islamic State (ISIS) members and the capture of five others in an operation in eastern Deir ez-Zor province.
In a statement, the SDF said the Military Operations Teams (TOL) "carried out a precise security operation" in the town of Dhiban in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, adding that the operation was launched with support from the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS on Sunday.
The SDF serves as the de facto military force in northeast Syria (Rojava) and remains the main partner of the anti-ISIS coalition in the country. Specialized in counterterrorism raids and special operations, the TOL is an affiliate of the SDF.
The statement added that the operation was carried out "after gathering intelligence on the cell’s movements and activities," which led to "successfully" dismantling "a dangerous ISIS terrorist cell."
"Our forces imposed a tight cordon around the site and called on its members to surrender," the SDF said, noting that, however, “the cell opened fire, prompting clashes that killed three terrorists and captured five others."
According to the SDF, the investigations revealed that the cell was "involved in transporting and manufacturing explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), preparing car bombs, and planning attacks targeting military positions, civilians, and public service institutions."
"We reaffirm our commitment to continuing security operations to pursue terrorist cells, dismantle their infrastructure, and ensure enhanced security and stability while eradicating terrorism from the region,” the Kurdish-led force said.
Sunday's operation coincided with the SDF announcing the arrest of an ISIS cell leader and arms facilitator in the same province.
In a statement on Sunday, the SDF said the TOL forces conducted "a precise and well-planned security operation" on December 7, capturing "one of the most dangerous leaders" of ISIS cells, Saher Ahmed al-Khalaf al-Abdullah, who was "responsible for supplying weapons, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices [IEDs]" to the extremist group.
Additionally, in a separate operation earlier this month, the SDF captured an ISIS military emir, known as ‘Abu Zubayr - Samak,’ along with two members of his cell, describing it as "one of the most dangerous ISIS networks."
Although ISIS was declared territorially defeated in Syria in 2019, the group has continued to exploit the instability that followed the fall of longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Since then, Deir ez-Zor has become a key hotspot for ISIS activities.
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