On May 17, the U.S.-led coalition and the SDF carried out a new counter-terrorism operation in the southeastern Deir Ezzor countryside.
According to local sources, the operation targeted two ISIS commanders in the town of al-Busayra. Coalition forces landed with helicopters, while a convoy of SDF forces closed the town and surrounded the terrorists’ houses.
Coalition forces engaged in heavy clashes with the commanders who turned out to be hiding in the same house. One of the commanders was killed in the clashes, while other was killed when coalition forces blew up the house.
Later, coalition forces raided a second house. No one was found inside the house. Nevertheless, coalition forces blew it up.
The al-Busayrah raid was the most recent in a series of operations targeting high-ranking ISIS terrorists in Deir Ezzor. Three days ago, two ISIS terrorists blow themselves up when coalition forces attempted to arrest them in the eastern countryside of the governorate.
The recent counter-terrorism operations improved security situation in Deir Ezzor. However, ISIS cells are still active, even if on a smaller scale.


