Clashes with ISIS in the Damascus countryside... 5 killed and explosive belts seized

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The Internal Security Forces in Syria announced the killing of two of its members while carrying out a security operation against a group affiliated with ISIS in the Damascus countryside.

The Internal Security Forces explained that the “security operation,” which took place in cooperation with the General Intelligence Service, targeted “an ISIS cell in the town of Rankous” in the western Damascus countryside. It pointed out that two members were killed and five injured as a result of clashes during the operation, the results of which have not yet been announced, according to what SANA reported.

The Internal Security Forces also indicated in a statement that 5 ISIS members were killed and 6 others were arrested during this specific operation, in addition to the seizure of explosive belts and weapons.

This month, the Ministry of the Interior announced the arrest of a leader in the organization, which it said was responsible for the bombing of a mosque in a neighborhood with an Alawite majority in the city of Homs (central) last December, killing eight people, and for planning other attacks of a sectarian nature.

The Syrian authorities, which last year joined the international coalition led by Washington against the organization, face major security challenges. It regularly announces the arrest of leaders or members of the organization.

Since coming to power following the overthrow of ousted President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, the Syrian authorities have repeatedly announced the arrest of members or dismantling of networks affiliated with the terrorist organization, which they accuse of carrying out several attacks in the country.

While ISIS, which controlled large areas of Iraq and Syria before its defeat on the ground in its last Syrian strongholds in 2019, from time to time adopts attacks, especially targeting the Syrian security forces. Its cells are still active in some areas, especially in the Syrian desert.

Last July (2026), two simultaneous bombings with two explosive devices targeted the vicinity of a hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron stayed during a visit to Damascus.