US Central Command (CENTCOM), in collaboration with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militant group, have managed to capture Da’esh leader Khaled Ahmed al-Dandal.
It is alleged that Al-Dandal, who was captured on September 1, helped terrorists affiliated with Da’esh, including those who just broke out of the Raqqah Detention Facility in Syria.
Five inmates—two Russians, two Afghans, and one Libyan—broke out of the institution on August 29.
Two of them, Muhammad Noh Muhammad (Libyan) and Imam Abdulwahed Akhwan (Russian), have subsequently been taken back by the militant SDF force supported by the US. The remaining three fugitives are still being sought for.
The risk of escape and a possible Da’esh comeback persists since there are more over 9,000 Da’esh captives housed in 20 SDF locations.
The need of repatriating these combatants was emphasized by CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla in order to safeguard regional security and avert potential threats.
The most recent capture comes after another mission in Western Iraq that claimed the lives of at least fifteen Da’esh operatives.
These incidences bring attention to the continued security issues, as terrorist acts continue to pose threats on a worldwide scale.
The PKK’s Syrian branch is the SDF, which receives support from the US. The US, UK, EU, and Turkey all recognize the PKK as a terrorist organization.
