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Syrian forces killed 24 terrorists of ISIS during a special operation in the southern Syrian city of Daraa, Major General Oleg Yegorov, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, announced on November 11.
“Syria’s state security units completed a special operation to search for and neutralize terrorists with links to the ISIS terrorist group in the Daraa al-Balad residential area of the city of Daraa,” Yegorov said.
Daraa al-Balad is the common name for the southern part of Daraa city. Syrian government forces and local fighters, some of whom backed by Russia, have been operating against ISIS cells in the residential area since August 31.
According to Maj. Gen. Yegorov, more than 300 buildings were searched, 24 terrorists of ISIS were killed, 24 others were arrested and six improvised explosive devices were uncovered and disarmed in the course of the operation in Daraa al-Balad.
During the same period, 21 Syrian rebels in Daraa settled their status, handing over 62 weapons to government forces, including 50 assault rifles and 12 grenade launchers, as well as more than 8,000 rounds of ammunition.
“The daily operation of the commission on settling the status of reconciled militants and of the reception point for weapons and ammunition is ongoing,” Maj. Gen. Yegorov said.
The 8th Brigade, a Russian-backed formation of the Syrian military’s 5th Corps that is mainly made of up local fighters and former rebels from the countryside of Daraa, have been reportedly leading counter-terrorisms operations in Daraa al-Balad and other parts of Daraa.
Syrian forces will likely continue to operate against ISIS cells in Daraa al-Balad and nearby areas until the entire city of Daraa is fully secured.
