ISIS seeks to remain in Syria despite its defeat

Ayah Ezz

Gennady Kuzmin, Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said on August 27 that around 3,000 individuals related to the terrorist group ISIS remain in Syria.

The US Department of Defense warned in a report dated August 6 of ISIS re-emergence in Syria. The Russian statements were made almost half a year after the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) defeated ISIS in its last stronghold in Baghouz, east of Deir Ezzor.

Meanwhile, the Syrian-based Al Sharqia 24 news portal said that ISIS had not formed any cells in the Syrian desert. However, it depended on elements that already have been present in the airport of Deir Ezzor and Al Bukamal.

The news portal said ISIS has all kinds of arms, in addition to food warehouses and field hospitals in the deserts.

Syria net website has said ISIS exists in its last pocket along some 3,000sq. km near Muazila», east of Deir Ezzor governorate.

Rayyan Maarouf, an editor at Al-Suwayda 24 news portal, said that ISIS is dispersed in Al-Suwayda area, citing communication difficulties among ISIS members and its leaders.

“The number of ISIS terrorists in Al-Suwayda area is not large. They exist in some small villages near Al-Karaa and Al-Raghila. Their leader, Abul Baraa, is an Iraqi national. Their operations are confined to setting up explosive devices on the roads used by the army,” Maarouf told THE REFERENCE.

“ISIS is applying a tactic of sleeper cells. The terrorist group exists in Al-Suwayda desert. ISIS attacked large areas in Al-Suwayda on 25 July, 2018. The people of Al-Suwayda countered the attack. The Syrian army launched a large-scale attack on ISIS strongholds in Al-Suwayda desert,” Maarouf said.

He added that ISIS is more active in the deserts of Damascus, Homs and Deir Ezzor, citing the terrorist group sometimes targets military convoys, gas pipelines and mineral wealth facilities there.