The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched "Operation Security Reinforcement" against ISIS cells in Deir ez-Zor region late on Sunday night. The offensive launched by the SDF in cooperation with the international anti-ISIS coalition aims to track down and root out terror cells in order to stop potential attacks. The background is an increase in ISIS attacks against the civilian population, security personnel and local government employees. The operation is also directed against organised crime and smuggling networks. The area of operation includes areas east of the Euphrates, but primarily the Deir ez-Zor region in eastern Syria.

In a statement on Thursday, SDF Media Center said: “Our forces are taking additional measures to pursue armed groups that infiltrated villages in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor coming from the west bank of the Euphrates River. These groups began mobilizing to attack our forces positioned in the eastern countryside. Yesterday evening, supplies were sent from security agencies affiliated with the Syrian regime in an attempt to cause civil strife that serves their agendas of pressure and threatening the notables of the region.”

SDF confirmed that the ongoing Operation Security Reinforcement in Deir ez-Zor was launched based on the demands of the people and notables of the area, as our forces informed the region’s tribal leaders and notables in advance about the operation and its objectives.

“While we thank our people in the region for cooperating with our forces, we call on everyone not to be drawn into the voices calling for sedition, which will only benefit the external parties lurking in the region in light of the increasing activity of terrorist cells,” said the statement.

The statement added: “We confirm that the forces participating in Operation Security Reinforcement, led by the Deir ez-Zor Military Council, will continue their tasks in pursuing ISIS terrorist cells and criminal elements, especially infiltrators from areas west of the Euphrates.”