UPDATE 2 - 2 Syrian security personnel killed, 5 injured in operation targeting terrorist cell
- Interior Ministry announces casualties following clashes during operation in Rankous, western Damascus countryside
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- Interior Ministry announces casualties following clashes during operation in Rankous, western Damascus countryside
UPDATES CASUALTIES; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE
By Laith Al-jnaidi and Ikram Kouachi
ISTANBUL (AA) - Two members of Syria’s Internal Security Forces were killed and five others injured during clashes in a security operation targeting a cell affiliated with the ISIS (Daesh) terror group in the western Damascus countryside on Thursday, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.
The casualties occurred “following clashes during the security operation targeting a cell affiliated with the ISIS terrorist organization” in Rankous town, it added.
Earlier Thursday, the Internal Security Forces announced that they had launched a security operation in cooperation with the General Intelligence Service targeting an ISIS cell in the town.
Authorities have not yet announced the number of members in the targeted cell or the outcome of the operation.
On Oct. 16, the Interior Ministry announced that it had foiled an ISIS plot to target a police patrol in the Damascus countryside during a joint operation by the General Intelligence Service and the Internal Security Forces.
The operation led to the arrest of two people and the seizure of an explosive device prepared for detonation, according to the ministry.
On Oct. 6, the Interior Ministry announced the arrest of Khaled Raed Birouni, also known as Abu Hassan Dushka, during a security operation in the town of Hujaira in the Damascus countryside.
Birouni served as the top military commander for the group’s self-proclaimed “Homs Province,” according to security information.
He was responsible for planning and overseeing several attacks in Homs, including preparing and using explosive devices and carrying out sectarian attacks, according to the ministry.
Authorities also accused him of being responsible for the December 2025 bombing of the Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in Homs’ Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood.
The Health Ministry said at the time that eight people were killed and 18 injured when an explosive device detonated inside the mosque during Friday prayers.
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on Dec. 8, 2024, authorities have sought to restore security and establish state control of weapons by pursuing wanted individuals and carrying out security campaigns against armed groups in various parts of the country.
The efforts come amid continuing challenges in stabilizing the security situation and preventing attacks on civilians and security personnel.
Ikrame Imane Kouachi