📰 Syrian forces arrest 7 ISIS members including leader near Damascus

DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Syrian security troops in Rif Dimashq Governorate declared on Sunday the arrest of the leader of an Islamic State (ISIS) cell and six of its members during a security operation carried out in the town of Darayya, south of Damascus. Ahmad al-Dalati, commander of Internal Security in Rif Dimashq, stated that specialized internal security units, in coordination with the General Intelligence Service, conducted a “precise and tightly planned security operation” targeting an ISIS hideout in Darayya. In a statement published by the Ministry of Defense on Telegram, al-Dalati stated the operation resulted in the complete dismantling of the cell and the arrest of its leader along with six members.

He added that security troops seized various weapons and ammunition in the suspects’ possession, which were prepared for use in terrorist activities. Since the political transition, the emerging Syrian leadership has moved to restructure its security institutions and expand their mandate to include active counter-ISIS operations nationwide. latest arrests and security raids in areas such as Rif Dimashq reflect an early attempt to assert state authority, dismantle dormant ISIS cells, and prevent the group from exploiting security vacuums during the transition period. In parallel, Syria has begun formal steps to engage with the U.

S. -led Global Coalition against ISIS. authorities have signaled readiness to coordinate intelligence sharing, border security, and counterterrorism efforts, aiming to integrate Syrian security forces into regional and international frameworks. Reporting by Malin Mohammed Editing by Jwan Shekaki