In one of the most complex joint security operations, the SDF Special Task Units, supported by the International Coalition Against ISIS forces, have arrested one of the most dangerous fugitive leaders of ISIS, Mohammed Abid al-Awad nicknamed “Rasheed”.

According to the SDF statement, the ISIS member was responsible for many terrorist operations, including scheming to break in the Gwayran prison of ISIS detainees in Heseke city. For the planned attack, he provided weapons, ammunition, 14 suicide bombers and two car bombs that were detected earlier and defused by SDF forces and the international coalition.

The statement released by SDF on Saturday included the following:

“In early 2013, the terrorist Mohammed Abid al-Awad joined Jabhat al-Nusra, then he moved to the ISIS terrorist organization, leading a battalion of “Tanks and Armored Vehicles” during the 2014 attack on Kobane. He also participated in dozens of ISIS attacks, committing numerous massacres against people in Syria, particularly the regions of north and eastern Syria. Then, he disappeared, impersonating many fake names.

Last November, during a successful operation, our forces and the Internal Security Forces thwarted the planned attack, saving the people of Heseke and the region from a dangerous terrorist threat, arresting all members of Mohammed Abid al-Awad-led terrorist cell, yet he managed to disappear.

According to video confessions of terrorist Abid al-Awad, the break-in scheme was about large-scale terrorist operations, including car bombings at the prison gate to break it and create chaos, and raids by suicide bombers, to deliver explosives and weapons (165Kalashnikovs and a full-fledged quiver of ammunition and bombs) to detainees to control the prison and the surrounding area.

Our forces that eliminated the so-called ISIS State in al-Baghouz and foiled the most dangerous terrorist acts, vow the continuance of their struggle against ISIS and its terrorist cells to protect the people from all possible threats.”