North and East Syria security forces (known as the “Asayish”) continue their operation against ISIS for the second day in the al-Hawl (al-Hol) refugee camp.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and the Peoples’ and Womens’ Defence Forces (YPG and YPJ) support the “Humanity and Security Operation”, which is reported to last 15 days and will include a daily curfew from 5am to 7pm in the al-Hol camp, where the vast majority of approximately 12,000 refugees are known to have links with ISIS.
“SDF forces launched a large-scale raid within al-Hol Camp in the early morning hours. The operation, in which several thousand security forces took part, aims at dislodging ISIS’ stronghold in the camp, amidst rising sleeper cell assassinations,” announced the Rojava Information Centre (RIC) on Sunday 28 March.
Today, SDF forces launched a large-scale raid within al-Hol Camp in the early morning hours. The operation, in which several thousand security forces took part, aims at dislodging ISIS' stronghold in the camp, amidst rising sleeper cell assassinations. pic.twitter.com/x90pktBHOn
— Rojava Information Center (@RojavaIC) March 28, 2021
A secret tunnel was discovered and a supply of electronic equipment and military uniforms, which are suspected to belong to ISIS members, were confiscated during the raids on Monday.
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi said on Twitter that the SDF operation aims to “arrest ISIS criminals and protect civilians.”
Mazloum Abdi renewed his call for repatriation of international ISIS members. “We renew our call on foreign countries to take back their citizens & give more humanitarian support to al-Hol to improve the conditions & stability in the camp,” he said on Twitter.
Our forces have launched a humanitarian & security operation in al-Hol to arrest ISIS criminals and protect civilians. We renew our call on foreign countries to take back their citizens & give more humanitarian support to al-Hol to improve the conditions & stability in the camp.
— Mazloum Abdî مظلوم عبدي (@MazloumAbdi) March 29, 2021
The SDF’s Coordination and Military Operations Centre announced on Twitter that 5,000 Asayish members supported by the SDF, the YPG and the YPJ were deployed to protect residents of al-Hawl camp, and nine individuals, including Abu Saad Al, an ISIS leader, were detained.
5000 #Asayish members supported by the #SDF, #YPG & #YPJ were deployed on #Humanity_and_Security_Operation to protect residents of #AlHol Camp. 9 individuals, including Abu Saad Al #Iraqi, an #ISIS leader were detained. NGOs & #AANES continued services with minimal disruption pic.twitter.com/bc6ZBzBxum
— Coordination & Military Ops Center – SDF (@cmoc_sdf) March 28, 2021
Wayne Marotto, the spokesman for the US-led coalition, said on Twitter, “The Asayish and SDF conduct bio-enrollment, helping to maintain security by identifying those in #alhawl camp connected to terrorist activities, during an operation focused on improving the safety and security of those who live and work in al-Hawl and defeat daesh.”
The #Asayish and #SDF conduct bio-enrollment, helping to maintain security by identifying those in #alhawl camp connected to terrorist activities, during an operation focused on improving the safety and security of those who live and work in al-Hawl and #defeatdaesh. https://t.co/PA8yRaYLIY
— OIR Spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto (@OIRSpox) March 28, 2021