The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), supported by the International Coalition, reportedly conducted a counter-terrorism operation that arrested one to three alleged Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) members after midnight on January 2nd 2023 in the eastern Deir Ezzor town of Al Basira. There are currently no reports of civilian or belligerent harm or death.

The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights (SOHR) only reported the arrest of one militant. However, multiple sources reported that the SDF and International Coalition utilized aerial and ground support to besiege Fares al-Khabil’s place of residence, arresting him, his brother Hafiz al-Khabil, and Bashar al-Abdullah al-Shaher. Hafiz al-Khabil was accused of being a former ISIS leader and arms dealer and has been linked to Ahmed al-Khabil, who is the commander of the Deir Ezzor Military Council, affiliated with the SDF.

Sources also reported that some of the arrested were not ISIS members, but civilians. There are conflicting reports regarding which of the arrested people were civilians, however two of the three are thought to have been long-term vegetable sellers in the local market.

The SOHR also mentioned that the SDF and International Coalition opened fire to deter civilians from the area, but did not provide details on whether anyone was killed or injured.

Neither the SDF nor the International Coalition have taken responsibility for the incident.