Operation Al-Jazeera Thunderbolt by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Internal Security Forces against ISIS cells in the areas around Hol, Til Hemis and Til Birak has been ongoing since 29 December.

Many local tribal leaders and dignitaries expressed their support for the SDF and Operation Al-Jazeera Thunderbolt to establish security and stability in the regions of North-East Syria.

Fawaz al-Zawba’a al-Mulhim, head of the al-Jabour Tribe Council, said: “We affirm that all our people are supporting this operation that aims to maintain security and stability in our areas, protecting our property against the terrorism of ISIS cells, and we thank the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Internal Security Forces for cleansing the areas of Tal Hamis, al-Hol and Tal Brak from the terrorist sleeper cells.”

Muhammad al-Mulla, one of the notables of the al-Tafihe’en tribe said: “We are here today in these areas to support the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Internal Security Forces in the operation launched to cleanse our areas of ISIS terrorist cells.”

“We call on all people to cooperate effectively with the military and security forces to dry up the secret terrorist hotbeds and to impose security and safety,” he added.

“We appeal to all tribal leaders and notables in Raqqa, Deir Ezzor, and al-Hasaka, to increase cooperation with the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Internal Security Forces to maintain security and stability in their regions by expanding the Operation to cover their areas,” he concluded.