Like in every operation, with every advance in the Deir ez-Zor region clean-up operations are carried out behind the front. This way, dozens of attempted attacks are prevented and ISIS members who hide among civilians are detected.
The Operation Cizire Storm launched under the lead of the Deir ez-Zor Military Council on September 9 continues. SDF fighters have advanced along the east of the Euphrates and have reached the Iraqi border. With the liberation of villages, clean-up operations also continue non-stop.
WHY CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS?
In the fight against ISIS, clean-up operations are carried out under the lead of YPG in almost all operations. The clean-up operations include security precautions like the detection and neutralization of landmines, disarming traps laid against fighters and civilians, removing military equipment left over from the war. In areas where civilians return to the residential areas and continue with their social lives, they also include ID checks and house searches for weapons, explosives and suspects.
ISIS MEMBERS AMONG CIVILIANS
One of the methods ISIS utilizes in Deir ez-Zor after Tabqa, Manbij and Raqqa is hiding among civilians to attempt attacks. This method is utilized more frequently in Deir ez-Zor, ISIS members reach the infrequently dispersed villages in civilian clothes and attempt suicide attacks and civilian massacres. As front lines advance and villages are liberated in the Deir ez-Zor front, clean-up operations gain significance in the face of increased risk of attacks in the back fronts. In operations in Deir ez-Zor to date, dozens of gang members have been caught, dozens of attempted attacks have been prevented, large numbers of landmines and explosives have been neutralized, cell houses have been exposed and weapons have been seized.
THEY NEED TO BE CONTINUOUS
The clean-up operations need to be carried out at every phase of the operation. The other day, with support from the Rojava Asayish security forces, a clean-up operation was carried out in a 70 square kilometer area between Shedadê and Mergede where 2 ISIS members were captured alive, a large scale tunnel was detected and destroyed, some 3.000 people were checked for IDs, weapons and explosives hidden in compartments in houses were seized and people who have aided ISIS members have been questioned.
CIVILIANS ALSO HELP
Civilians are doing what they can to make the operations faster and more effective. There are no negative reactions to houses and cars being searched, and people greet the fighters with small offerings.
