عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

SDF Units Arrest ISIS Leader, Kill Another in Syria's Deir Ezzor

Women at the al-Hol camp in Syria's Hasakeh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Women at the al-Hol camp in Syria's Hasakeh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
20
TT

SDF Units Arrest ISIS Leader, Kill Another in Syria's Deir Ezzor

Women at the al-Hol camp in Syria's Hasakeh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Women at the al-Hol camp in Syria's Hasakeh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced the killing of a prominent ISIS leader responsible for terror plots and operations in the eastern countryside of Syria’s east governorate of Deir Ezzor.

Another significant terror leader was arrested. They were responsible for transferring explosives and ammunition to active members of the terror organization in Deir Ezzor.

This comes at a time the US-led International Coalition carried out an airdrop operation west of Deir Ezzor in search of wanted persons, with the participation of three US helicopters and SDF forces.

“SDF units killed Abu Hamza Shamiyah, the chief leader responsible for plotting attacks in the area,” Farhad Shami, the director of the SDF media center, told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Abu Hamza Shamiyah was the architect of multiple assaults against SDF positions, local tribes, and civilians.

He was one of the most wanted fugitives in Deir Ezzor after staging a terror assault that targeted SDF units on February 10.

The terror hit resulted in the death of five SDF fighters, according to Shami.

“We arrested Shukri Kamal Khalil, in the village of Zghair in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor,” Shami added, noting that the detained terrorist was a leader of multiple sleeper cells.

SDF units seized large quantities of weapons, ammunition, and narcotics in Khalil’s possession.

On February 13, SDF units arrested an ISIS officer behind a terror funding ring that was supporting the group’s activity in Syria.

Most Viewed

 
Arab World

Islamic Consensus in Istanbul on Need for Solidarity Against Israeli Escalation

A commemorative photo of the ministers and officials participating in the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Council in Istanbul (AFP)
A commemorative photo of the ministers and officials participating in the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Council in Istanbul (AFP)
TT
20
TT

Islamic Consensus in Istanbul on Need for Solidarity Against Israeli Escalation

A commemorative photo of the ministers and officials participating in the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Council in Istanbul (AFP)
A commemorative photo of the ministers and officials participating in the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Council in Istanbul (AFP)

The 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in Istanbul, witnessed a clear consensus among member states on the need for unity and solidarity in the face of Israel’s ongoing escalation. This comes amid continued international silence on the violations committed in Gaza and Israel’s expanding attacks into Lebanon, Syria, and Iran.
 
In his opening speech, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stated that the world’s silence on Israel’s aggressive policies in Palestine has only encouraged its regional expansion. He asserted that the coming period will see a “much greater role for the Islamic world, which must become an independent global power.”
 
Erdogan urged Islamic nations to overcome internal disputes and unite in defending their common causes. He warned that Netanyahu’s “Zionist ambitions” could push the world into catastrophe, likening the threat to that of Adolf Hitler, whose ambitions ignited World War II.
 
Regarding Iran, Erdogan stressed that defending oneself against Israeli attacks is a legitimate right, stating: “There is no difference between an attack on Tehran, Istanbul, Makkah, or Madinah - they share the same fate.”

He also warned against attempts to impose a “new Sykes-Picot” agreement on the region. He added that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is worse than Nazi concentration camps, with over two million Palestinians struggling to survive under siege for nearly two years.
 
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who assumed the presidency of the session, warned that Israel is dragging the region to the brink of total catastrophe.
He stressed that the core issue is not about Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, or others. It is “an Israeli problem,” he said. He further called for a firm stance against the aggression and praised Egypt and Qatar for their ongoing efforts to mediate a ceasefire.
 
Fidan criticized the failure of international mechanisms, particularly the UN Security Council, in addressing the ongoing atrocities in Gaza.
 
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit also condemned any targeting of nuclear facilities in Iran, warning of severe humanitarian and environmental consequences. He said that expanding the war will not bring peace and stressed the necessity of returning to diplomacy, referencing past successful negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.
 
Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi condemned Israel’s violations of international law and sovereignty in its attacks on Iran. He called for restraint, a return to diplomacy, and praised Oman’s mediation between the US and Iran.
 
Closed sessions were held in Istanbul to discuss developments in Gaza and Iran’s nuclear negotiations. A special Arab ministerial meeting also took place, denouncing the Israeli aggression against Iran and calling for urgent efforts to de-escalate.