Syria says two security personnel killed in operation against ISIS-linked cell

Syrian security forces on Thursday said two of their personnel five members of a cell affiliated ISIS group were killed in an operation in the Damascus region on Thursday.

The country’s authorities regularly announce operations against ISIS-affiliated networks and individuals accused of planning attacks.

A security forces statement carried by state television said the forces, in cooperation with intelligence services, carried out an operation targeting “a cell affiliated with the Daesh (IS) terrorist organization in the town of Rankus” in the Damascus countryside.

“During the operation, the cell members refused to surrender and opened fire on the security forces, leading to clashes that killed two security force personnel and wounded five others,” the statement said.

“The operation ended with the neutralization of five members of the cell, the arrest of six others and the seizure of weapons and explosive belts,” it added.

Earlier this month, Syrian authorities said they had arrested a key ISIS operative allegedly responsible for planning and overseeing attacks including a deadly mosque blast in Homs last year.

Syrian authorities, who face major security challenges, last year joined a US-led coalition against the extremists.

Once in control of swathes of Syria and Iraq, ISIS was territorially defeated in Syria in 2019, but remnants of the group are still present there, including in the country’s vast desert.

The group occasionally claims attacks, mainly targeting Syrian security forces.

Syria has blamed ISIS for bomb blasts in July during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron. Authorities said they arrested the cell responsible.