ALEPPO, Syria – In a significant counter-terrorism move, Syrian security forces carried out a series of coordinated raids on Islamic State (ISIS) hideouts in the city of Aleppo on Saturday. The operation resulted in the death of at least one militant and the arrest of several others, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Interior.
This marks the first officially reported crackdown on ISIS elements in Aleppo by Syria’s current leadership, signaling renewed efforts to combat extremist threats in urban centers.
During the operation, one member of the Syrian security forces lost his life. Authorities confirmed that the raids led to the seizure of firearms, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and counterfeit uniforms bearing the insignia of official security units.
A senior security source revealed that the operation targeted four separate locations believed to be housing ISIS sleeper cells. Ten suspects were detained during the raids. One militant reportedly detonated a suicide vest, while another was neutralized during armed resistance.
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Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, once affiliated with a faction of al Qaeda but who severed ties in 2016, has remained a staunch opponent of ISIS. His leadership has been marked by ongoing initiatives aimed at dismantling remaining jihadist networks across the war-torn country.
Al-Sharaa’s efforts received international attention earlier this week when he met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia. President Trump described Sharaa as “a dynamic leader with a compelling background” and announced a major policy shift: the removal of U.S. sanctions on Syria. The decision is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the nation’s struggling economy.
Al-Sharaa came to power in December, following the departure of former President Bashar al-Assad. Since taking office, his administration has made internal security a top priority.
ISIS, which once controlled vast territories across Syria and Iraq, has been largely dismantled by regional forces and international coalitions. However, remnants of the group continue to launch sporadic attacks, particularly in eastern Syria.
Earlier this year, Syrian authorities thwarted a planned ISIS attack on the Sayeda Zeinab shrine near Damascus, a prominent pilgrimage site for Shi’a Muslims. Meanwhile, ISIS fighters were responsible for the deaths of five members of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in a separate incident in the country’s east last month.
The latest raids in Aleppo reflect Syria’s renewed resolve to extinguish the lingering threat of ISIS within its borders and restore stability to its major cities.
Source: REUTERS
