Syrian Authorities Claim Arrest of ISIS Cell in Aleppo Following Deadly Raid
By Kardo Roj
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – Syrian government security forces arrested four alleged members of the Islamic State (ISIS) in the city of Aleppo during a joint operation carried out by the General Intelligence Directorate and the Interior Ministry, a spokesperson announced on Saturday.
The operation reportedly followed a deadly attack on a public security facility that resulted in the death of a security officer. Syrian state media described the raid as a response to ongoing threats posed by ISIS sleeper cells, particularly in urban areas once under the group’s influence.
Speaking to Syria’s state-run al-Ikhbariya TV, Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba said the raid led to the seizure of explosive devices, a suicide vest, and security force uniforms that were allegedly intended to be used in further attacks.
While ISIS lost control of its self-declared caliphate in 2019, its remnants continue to wage asymmetric warfare across Syria, exploiting security gaps in both government-controlled and contested areas. Aleppo, although far from the frontlines of the eastern desert where ISIS is more active, has witnessed sporadic attacks and attempted infiltrations in recent years.
Saturday’s raid underscores the persistent threat posed by covert ISIS cells capable of launching targeted strikes against military and civilian sites.
Security experts note that while the group lacks the territorial control it once held, it retains the capacity to destabilize areas through high-impact, symbolic attacks designed to undermine local authority and instill fear.
The Syrian government has increased security measures in major cities like Aleppo amid reports of heightened militant activity. However, critics argue that such operations often lack transparency and sometimes conflate anti-government activism with terrorism allegations.
Elsewhere in Syria, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue to conduct counter-ISIS operations in coordination with the U.S.-led Global Coalition. These efforts remain concentrated in Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah, and Raqqa—areas that served as ISIS’s core territory before its military defeat.
The SDF, in tandem with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), has developed an extensive network of intelligence and counterterrorism infrastructure to monitor and neutralize ISIS cells, often with support from international partners. Despite significant gains, SDF officials caution that without continued Coalition backing, the group’s threat could reemerge in both rural and urban areas.
According to the Interior Ministry, the Aleppo raid resulted in the death of one security officer. Authorities claim the ISIS cell was preparing attacks disguised in official security uniforms, a tactic reminiscent of previous ISIS operations aimed at infiltrating secure areas and creating mass panic.
Photos released by state media showed confiscated explosive devices and tactical gear, though independent verification remains limited.
No information has been released about the identities of the detained suspects or the location of their detention. The Interior Ministry stated that investigations are ongoing and that the detainees will be prosecuted under Syria’s anti-terrorism laws.
Additional Reporting by Ahmad Othman