A number of rigged motorcycles and car bombs, for which the Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility, have recently shaken up Hasakah province in northeastern Syria, killing a number of civilians and military personnel and injuring others, and causing significant material damage. The attacks have pushed the authorities in the area, which is controlled by the Kurdish-led autonomous administration, to launch a crackdown against IS cells that remain active despite the group’s defeat.

The military council in Hasakah province announced Aug. 1 the arrest of gunmen, including one Iraqi, affiliated with IS in the predominantly Arab neighborhood of Ghuwairan in Hasakah city.

According to security sources and eyewitnesses who spoke to the media, large quantities of weapons, highly explosive phosphorus and other raw materials for making improvised explosive devices were confiscated. Detainees were transferred to detention centers and investigations are still ongoing.

The crackdown coincided with an aerial landing of coalition forces in al-Haddadiya in al-Shadadi countryside, targeting and arresting a wanted IS operative.