ISIS gangs are suffering heavy blows in the operation to liberate Raqqa, launched after the Tabqa operation. As ISIS saw that the end of their so-called caliphate is drawing to an end with the heavy blows they suffer, they started to prepare for more civilian massacres, as per their usual modus operandi.

In the Cizîrê canton, a tanker type bomb-laden vehicle with 5 tonnes of TNT and 2 heat seeking missiles and a truck with 900 electronic fuses and explosive set-ups was caught by the YAT units. The YAT unit was monitoring ISIS gangs closely and they took the tanker and the truck under surveillance. When they entered the town Siluk, the YAT unit stopped and searched them. In the search, 5 tonnes of TNT and explosive set-up was discovered in various pockets in the tanker. In the truck, 900 electronic fuses and explosive set-ups were confiscated.

ONE OF THEM TO EXPLODE AND THE OTHER TO ATTACK

The driver of the bomb-laden vehicle was carrying an ID card issued for Hesen El Kiteb. YAT units questioned the driver, who later confessed that he is an ISIS member code named Ebu Ebdo Selefi. YAT officials said the investigation is underway, they have acquired information on several ISIS sleeper cells and they have taken action against them.

The driver for the truck with 2 heat seeking missiles, 900 electronic fuses and explosive set-ups was not carrying an ID. The YAT unit’s investigation revealed that the ISIS member who said his name is Ebu Sincar was planning several attacks using the missiles, fuses and explosives in the vehicle.

INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

YAT officials stated that the investigations for the captured men continue and gave the following information: “Both vehicles had been under surveillance for a while. There was a flow of information regarding both the vehicles and the drivers from various sources. With this flow, we took the vehicles and drivers under surveillance with more specific methods. And in the end, we uncovered that they were planning to commit massacres, with evidence. The investigations are still underway. The men gave us important information, and our operations continue with the information we have.”

YAT officials stated that the bomb-laden vehicle was being prepared to carry out a large-scale civilian massacre in Cizîrê.

YAT officials also stated that they acquired important information and leads in the ongoing investigation regarding sleeper cells as well, and continued: “The information and leads we acquired have led to an acceleration in our efforts. We have taken some new sleeper cells under surveillance and inspection. We are currently waiting for more results.”