FILE IMAGE: Sputnik/ Iliya Pitalev.
Late on November 20, units from the Syrian Military Intelligence Directorate (MID) carried out a special operation in the northeastern countryside of Daraa.
The operation targeted a three-man cell that was taking shelter in a camp located in the outskirts of the town of Khirbet Ghazaleh.
According to local media sources, MID agents clashed with the wanted men who attempted to escape. One of the men, identified as Majd Abdo al-Zbaidi, was killed, while the remaining two were apprehended.
The cell may be linked to ISIS. A few hours before the operation, the SAA uncovered an improvised explosive device (IED) on al-Harak-Malihat road to the east of Khirbet Ghazaleh. Moreover, ISIS recently claimed responsibility for an IED attack which took place on Izra-Sheikh Miskin road to the north of Khirbet Ghazaleh less than two weeks ago.
The three men targeted during the operation are reportedly tribesmen from the countryside of the neighboring governorate of al-Swaiydah, where ISIS maintains a presence. They arrived in Daraa very recently.
Despite the recent Russian-sponsored reconciliation process in Daraa, the situation in the governorate remains a bit unstable. One of the most recent security incidents was a bombing that targeted the Nassib border crossing with Jordan.
Best of luck flushing out the rest of the Rats.