An Islamic State (ISIS) member dressed as a woman was captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) during the “Humanitarian and Security Operation” at al-Hol camp, where they also uncovered several tunnels, reported ANHA on Sunday.

The SDF, supported by the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), initiated the third phase of their “Humanitarian and Security Operation” at al-Hol camp, southeast of Hasakah (Hesekê), on Saturday. This phase was launched in response to increased activities of ISIS cells within the camp. During the operation, the forces captured an ISIS member who had dressed up as a woman to evade capture in a section of the camp where men are typically not permitted.

Head of the SDF’s Communications Centre Farhad Shami stated, “The first day of the operation was very important. We were able to arrest a man disguised as a woman in the migrant sector, where men were not allowed to enter. We also found many tunnels and mines.” The discovery of tunnels and mines within the camp underlines the ongoing security challenges and the extent of ISIS’s attempts to maintain a presence in the region.

The “Humanitarian and Security Operation” aims to neutralise the threat posed by remnants of ISIS and ensure the safety of the camp’s inhabitants. The operation will continue until its objectives are fully achieved, reinforcing the commitment of the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria and their allies to combating ISIS’s lingering influence in the area.