On November 20, special forces of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) carried out a security operation against pro-government operatives.
In the course of the operation, which took place in the western al-Hasakah countryside, four suspects were arrested by the SDF.
The operation was carried out by the SDF’s elite HAT special weapons and tactics unit. The U.S.-led coalition trained and equipped the special unit, supposedly to counter ISIS.
SDF forces seized two AK-type assault rifles, a hand gun, a hand grenade as well as documents and publications issued by Damascus.
Click to see full-size image. Source: YPG Press Office (facebook.com/YPG)
Click to see full-size image. Source: YPG Press Office (facebook.com/YPG)
Click to see full-size image. Source: YPG Press Office (facebook.com/YPG)
The SDF claims that operatives working for the Syrian intelligence were responsible for a number of attacks on its troops and locals. The attacks were allegedly meant to provoke unrest in the SDF-held part of northeastern Syria.
Pro-government operatives are indeed carrying attacks in northeastern Syria. On September 27, Layalwa al-Abdullah, a spokesman for the SDF’s Deir Ezzor Military Council survived an attack by the pro-government Popular Resistance in the Eastern Region.
Nevertheless, there is no solid evidence linking the Syrian intelligence to these groups, which appears to be motivated by Pan-Arabism ideology.
