Two Syrian security officers were killed and five wounded in clashes with a suspected ISIL cell during a raid near Damascus. The Interior Ministry reported five suspected fighters killed and six arrested.
The Syrian Interior Ministry reported that the operation took place in the town of Rankous in the western Damascus countryside on Thursday morning. The suspects reportedly refused to surrender and opened fire, leading to the clashes. Weapons and explosive belts were seized during the operation.
Residents described the group as consisting of about nine people, with two members killed, two escaping, and an unknown number injured. The ministry also stated that it foiled an ISIL plot in the Damascus countryside and dismantled an ISIL cell in the Houla area of Homs earlier this month. The plots involved attacks on places of worship and security patrols.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by ISIL to security forces in Damascus and underscores the government's efforts to dismantle the group's networks.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
The government's next steps in addressing ISIL plots and the potential for further clashes in the region.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.