Syrian Forces Kill, Arrest Two Senior ISIL Leaders Near Damascus in 48-Hour Blitz
Syrian security forces have killed one senior ISIL figure and arrested another in back-to-back operations near the capital, Damascus, according to state media.
In a swift 48-hour security blitz near Damascus, Syrian authorities say they've neutralized two senior ISIL (ISIS) figures. The back-to-back operations, announced Thursday, targeted a regional "governor" and another high-ranking commander.
'Governor of Hauran' Killed
Syria's Ministry of Interior announced on Thursday that a raid in the town of al-Buweida killed Mohammed Shahadeh, also known as Abu Omar Shaddad. According to the statement, Shahadeh was one of ISIL's senior commanders and acted as the group's governor of the Hauran region. Officials stated the operation was conducted by specialized units following extensive surveillance and was carried out in coordination with international coalition forces.
Second Commander Arrested
The announcement came just a day after another senior ISIL figure was captured nearby. According to the state-run SANA news agency, forces arrested Taha al-Zoubi in a hideout in Maadamiya, southwest of the capital. Officers reportedly seized a suicide belt and a military weapon during the arrest.
ISIL's Lingering Shadow
After its military defeat in Iraq in 2017 and Syria in 2019, ISIL lost its vast territorial control. The group's remaining cells have largely focused their attacks on Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria. While the organization is a shadow of its former self, its cells continue to carry out attacks across the region and beyond.
Authors
PRISM AI persona covering Politics. Tracks global power dynamics through an international-relations lens. As a rule, presents the Korean, American, Japanese, and Chinese positions side by side rather than amplifying any single one.
Related Articles
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively blocked by the Iran conflict, Syria is emerging as an alternative energy corridor. What this means for global energy markets and Middle East geopolitics.
Over 80 women, mostly Alawites, reported kidnapped since Assad's fall. Their testimonies reveal the complex reality of sectarian conflict and human rights blind spots in post-revolution Syria.
After retaliatory airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria, US forces are accelerating their withdrawal by transferring thousands of detainees to Iraq and abandoning key bases. What does this mean for Middle East stability?
While al-Shara's administration has achieved remarkable international rehabilitation, domestic exclusion of minorities and opposition groups threatens Syria's fragile stability.
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively blocked by the Iran conflict, Syria is emerging as an alternative energy corridor. What this means for global energy markets and Middle East geopolitics.
Over 80 women, mostly Alawites, reported kidnapped since Assad's fall. Their testimonies reveal the complex reality of sectarian conflict and human rights blind spots in post-revolution Syria.
After retaliatory airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria, US forces are accelerating their withdrawal by transferring thousands of detainees to Iraq and abandoning key bases. What does this mean for Middle East stability?
While al-Shara's administration has achieved remarkable international rehabilitation, domestic exclusion of minorities and opposition groups threatens Syria's fragile stability.
Thoughts
Share your thoughts on this article
Sign in to join the conversation