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)
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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.



Arab League Secretary General: Global Inaction Allows Israel to Widen Its Regional War

Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Arab League Secretary General: Global Inaction Allows Israel to Widen Its Regional War

Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit expressed grave concern over Israel's actions against Gaza residents, accusing the international community of failing to protect Palestinian civilians and halt Israel's expansion of its regional war.

He emphasized that the ongoing global inaction, now extending over a year, and the silence from nations allied with Israel implicate these countries as complicit in Israel's aggressions against Gaza, SPA reported.
Speaking at the ninth Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean, held in Barcelona, Aboul Gheit noted that international incompetence has enabled Israel to escalate its regional hostilities, resulting in new suffering for the Lebanese people, who are now also under bombardment. He added that in Gaza, 90% of the population is displaced, crowded into makeshift tents within only 10% of the territory.
Aboul Gheit urged forum participants to take cues from European nations that have recently recognized an independent Palestinian state within the borders of June 4, 1967.

He also called for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and the full implementation of Resolution 1701 to establish lasting security along the border. Holding the international community accountable for the continuation of this war, he demanded swift action to bring an end to the violence.