Syria dismantles ISIS cells in major security operation

DAMASCUS/ISTANBUL

Syria said Saturday that it had dismantled cells belonging to the ISIS (Daesh) terrorist group as part of a wide-scale security operation in several provinces.

A statement by the Interior Ministry said the operation was conducted on “precise” intelligence information and led to the arrest of wanted individuals and the seizure of materials and evidence linking them to terrorist activities.

The operation “comes within the framework of ongoing national efforts to combat terrorism and confront plots targeting the country’s security and citizens’ safety,” it added. “It resulted in the dismantling of several terrorist cells and the arrest of many wanted individuals.”

Since Bashar al-Assad’s ouster in late 2024, Syria’s new administration has taken several measures to restore security in Syria and pursued political and economic reforms, while promoting social cohesion and working to expand cooperation with regional and international partners.

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia last December, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963. A new transitional administration led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa was formed in January.