ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syrian security forces announced late Tuesday they had dismantled two Islamic State (ISIS) cells in Aleppo province and arrested seven suspects accused of planning attacks against government facilities.
The Internal Security Forces of the Syrian Ministry of Interior carried out a joint operation targeting ISIS hideouts in Aleppo city, as well as the areas of Azaz and al-Bab in the province’s countryside, they said in a statement, in coordination with Syrian intelligence.
The operation led to the arrest of “two cells belonging to the organization, consisting of seven individuals who were planning to carry out terrorist attacks targeting government facilities in Aleppo and its countryside,” the ministry said. Source please
The operation comes amid increased security activity by Syrian authorities against ISIS networks across the country. Earlier this month, Syrian security forces announced the dismantling of several ISIS cells in southern Syria, including the arrest of a senior ISIS figure identified as Firas al-Dagher, whom authorities described as a former ISIS governor for Lebanon and Palestine and a member of the group’s senior leadership.
Security forces also seized improvised explosive devices (IEDs), suicide vests, weapons, ammunition and other materials linked to "terrorist activities," according to the statement, citing the operation as “part of the ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Interior to combat terrorist organizations and track down sleeper cells and their associates.”
The Internal Security Forces released images showing what they said were warehouses containing explosives and weapons used by the cells.
The developments follow a series of security incidents in Damascus and other parts of Syria, including deadly attacks that authorities attributed to ISIS or linked extremist groups.
Since the fall of longtime Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Syria’s new leadership under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has faced repeated security challenges, including insurgent activity and attacks targeting civilians and security forces.
Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab said earlier this month that authorities were working to strengthen security and pursue those responsible for attacks.
“The acts of sabotage … targeting our civilian population and security forces” would only push state institutions to “perform their duty to protect citizens, enhance security, and pursue all those behind these terrorist acts,” Khattab said.
ISIS seized large swathes of territory across Iraq and Syria in 2014, declaring a violent caliphate before being territorially defeated in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019. However, the group's sleeper cells continue to pose security threats to both countries.
