Operation Cizire Storm Spokesperson Lîlwa Ebdullah spoke to ANF about the ongoing military campaign, their operations in recent days, YPJ’s role in the campaign and ISIS members taken prisoner by the SDF.

Lîlwa Ebdullah, who herself is from Deir ez-Zor, said that; “We are acting with utmost attention due to the presence of civilians among ISIS members. In the following days, ISIS will end in the region from the east of Syria to the border with Iraq. Our operations are continuing at the moment.”

Regarding the YPJ’s role in the Cizire Storm campaign, Ebdullah stated that after the liberation of some regions in Deir ez-Zor territory, women freed from ISIS captivity wanted to join the operations to liberate their land from ISIS. She continued: “After 5 years of repression, women in liberated regions wanted to join the YPJ and take revenge. During the campaign, YPJ has especially broadened the viewpoint towards women in the region.”

Ebdullah made clear that ISIS members taken prisoner by the SDF are being sent to prison following an extensive investigation, adding; “There are a number of ISIS members in the custody of our forces at the moment. International states should build prisons for ISIS mercenaries for the sake of peace in the region. ISIS has been defeated militarily but they have some sleeper cells. On the other hand, the ISIS mindset had a major influence on the local people. Our mission is also to fight against this mindset.”