Syria’s General Intelligence Directorate, in cooperation with the Internal Security Forces, dismantled a cell affiliated with the Islamic State group that had been active across several Syrian governorates, the Internal Security Forces announced on Sunday, September 27.
The operation resulted in the arrest of four cell leaders in Raqqa (northeastern Syria), along with a number of its members in Aleppo, Idlib, and Homs, after security forces tracked their activities and movements, according to the Internal Security Forces.
The Internal Security Forces said the cell was involved in kidnappings, planting explosive devices, and assassinations. Its activities began in Raqqa governorate and later expanded to Aleppo, Idlib, and Homs.
Preliminary investigations revealed that members of the cell were involved in five kidnapping operations, according to the Internal Security Forces, as well as in planning what the authorities described as “terrorist acts” targeting the security and stability of the region.
Explosive materials prepared for use in what the authorities described as “terrorist acts” were also seized from the detainees. The relevant authorities are continuing their investigations ahead of referring the suspects to the competent judiciary.
The Internal Security Forces said the operation was carried out preemptively to thwart what it described as a “terrorist plot targeting the security and stability of the region, before the cell reached the implementation stage.”
The Internal Security Forces published photographs showing explosive devices prepared for detonation, various weapons and ammunition, and several hand grenades that were seized from cell members during raids conducted by the General Intelligence Directorate in cooperation with the Internal Security Forces across several governorates.
Previous Operation in Aleppo
Syrian security forces periodically announce the dismantling of cells affiliated with the Islamic State group.
Among the most recent operations was one announced by the Ministry of Interior involving the arrest of Hamza Abdullah Muhammad, known as “Abu Jihad al-Muhajir,” who was identified by the ministry as one of the Islamic State group’s prominent military commanders.
The ministry said through its official channels that the Internal Security Forces and General Intelligence Directorate, in cooperation with international partners, arrested Abu Jihad al-Muhajir in what it described as a tightly coordinated security operation carried out in the countryside of Manbij (Aleppo governorate, northern Syria).
According to a ministry statement published on August 18, al-Muhajir had served as the Islamic State group’s general military commander for its “Wilayat al-Sham.”
The statement said he had previously served as deputy to the group’s former general military commander, known as “al-Harithi.” Before that, he was responsible for the group’s “Wilayat Idlib,” using the same alias.
According to the ministry, that operation was part of continuing security efforts to pursue Islamic State cells and commanders, dismantle the group’s networks, and prevent attempts to reorganize its ranks and threaten civilians and stability in Syria.
The Syrian government is engaged in a conflict with the Islamic State group, which claims responsibility for security attacks in Syria, including bombings and attacks targeting security personnel.
Meanwhile, the Islamic State group uses its official channels, statements, and weekly publication to mobilize against the government and call on its supporters to carry out attacks against it.