U.S. Abducted Three People From Deir Ezzor In Helicopter Raid: Syrian …
AIR FORCE HELICOPTER CREW RESCUES FEMALE HIKER – The 943rd Rescue Group had to use night vision goggles to rescue a severely injured hiker. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald/Released)
The United States-led coalition and its proxy, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), abducted three people during a helicopter raid in Deir Ezzor, the Syrian Arab News Agency reported on July 21.
Citing local sources, the state-run news agency said that the coalition’s raid took place in the town of Jadeed Ekedat in the southeastern Deir Ezzor countryside.
“Occupation forces and militiamen surrounded the town, raided a number of houses then kidnapped three citizens and took them to the occupation bases near the area,” the sources said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based monitoring group, said that the raid targeted a local oil trader. The group alleged that the man was paying taxes for ISIS cells and communicating with the Syrian intelligence. These claims are yet to be verified.
Just a day earlier, the SDF killed two people and captured another during a U.S.-backed special operation in the town of Dashisha in the southern al-Hasakah countryside. The three were allegedly operatives of ISIS.
The new raid came amid a military buildup by the U.S.-led coalition and the SDF in eastern and southeastern Deir Ezzor countryside.
Some observers speculate that the coalition is preparing to launch an attack against government forces on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River. However, others say that the coalition wants to pressure the local Arab branch of the SDF in Deir Ezzor, or even launch a large operation against ISIS cells there.
It’s worth noting that the U.S. claims that it is present in Syria to counter ISIS. Yet, the terrorist group remains very active in coalition-held areas.
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