Syria detains four ISIS cell leaders — Asharq Al-Awsat

Syrian security forces have detained four leaders and several members of a cell of the Islamic State (ISIS) group which, authorities said, was preparing attacks. Asharq Al-Awsat reports, citing Syrian state television.

Detentions in several provinces

According to Syria's internal security forces, four cell leaders were detained in Raqqa in the north of the country. Several other members were detained in Aleppo, Idlib and Homs.

Security forces said the cell was involved in kidnappings, planting explosive devices and killings. They said explosives, weapons and ammunition were seized during the preventive operation. The investigation is ongoing.

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Claims of planned attacks

Syrian authorities claim that the detained group was also planning terrorist acts aimed at undermining the region's security and stability. The country's authorities regularly report the detention of ISIS commanders or members, including the capture of one of the group's commanders in northern Syria last month.

ISIS, which previously controlled significant territories in Syria and Iraq, suffered a territorial defeat in Syria in 2019. At the same time, according to the publication, the group's cells are still present in the country, including in desert areas, and occasionally claim responsibility for attacks on Syrian security forces.