Dismantling a Cell of ISIS Involved in Kidnapping and Assassination Operations in 4 Syrian Provinces

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The Syrian security forces announced on Sunday the arrest of four leaders of a cell affiliated with ISIS that was planning to carry out attacks.

The official television reported that the General Intelligence Directorate, in cooperation with the Internal Security Forces, managed to "dismantle a cell affiliated with the terrorist organization ISIS involved in kidnapping operations, planting explosive devices, and assassinations, which began its activities in Raqqa and extended to Aleppo, Idlib, and Homs."

The statement from the Internal Security Forces indicated that the operations "resulted in the arrest of 4 of the cell's leaders in Raqqa, along with several of its members in Aleppo, Idlib, and Homs after tracking their activities and movements."

The statement clarified that preliminary investigations revealed that the cell was planning "to carry out terrorist acts targeting the security and stability of the region," and noted the seizure of "explosive devices prepared for detonation, various weapons, ammunition, and several hand grenades" in the possession of the cell members during the raids.

Last year, the new Syrian authorities joined a coalition led by the United States against ISIS.

These authorities face major security challenges and regularly announce the arrest of leaders or members of the organization, including the arrest last month of a prominent military leader of ISIS in the north of the country.

The organization, which controlled vast areas in Iraq and Syria before its military defeat in its last Syrian stronghold in 2019, occasionally carries out attacks targeting mainly Syrian security forces, while its cells remain active in some areas, particularly in the Syrian desert.

In July, two simultaneous bombings with explosive devices targeted the vicinity of a hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron stayed during a visit to Damascus. The Syrian authorities stated that the cell involved in the bombings is affiliated with ISIS.