South Front
Click to see full-size image, source: sdf-press.com
The Anti-Terror Units of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are known as the YAT, have captured two operatives of ISIS during separate raids in the northeastern Syrian governorate of Raqqa, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on April 23.
The London-based monitoring group said that the first raid took part in Raqqa city, while the second was in the town of al-Sahlabiyah in the western countryside of the governorate. The United States-led coalition, the main backer of the SDF, provided aerial support for YAT units during both raids.
The two operatives captured in the raids were, according to the SOHR, collecting intelligence on SDF security centers and prisons in Raqqa for ISIS cells.
“Raqqa prison, which houses the families of the Islamic State organization, is facing a real threat,” the monitoring group quoted an informed source in the governorate as saying.
The raids came a day after a joint operation by the U.S.-led coalition and the SDF that targeted a key hideout of ISIS cells in the southern Raqqa countryside. Large quantities of gold, around $1 million in cash and loads of weapons were seized from the hideout, which was once the main residence of ISIS slain leader Abu Baker al-Baghdadi.
ISIS is apparently working to expand its presence in Raqqa, the former capital of its Caliphate. The SOHR report indicates that the terrorist group is preparing to launch a large attack on the main prison in the governorate.
Last year, the group’s terrorists attacked a large prison run by the SDF in the northeastern governorate of al-Haskah to free their comrades. Hundreds of people were killed in the battle and many terrorists managed to flee, back then.
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