Two Syrian security officers killed in raid on ISIL cell near Damascus
News Source
β’Thu, 22 Oct 2026 16:24:43 +0000
π° What Happened
Two members of Syria's internal security forces were killed in a raid near Damascus. Five more were wounded. The Interior Ministry said the target was a suspected ISIL cell in the town of Rankous, west of the capital.
Security forces moved in on Thursday morning. The suspects refused to give up and opened fire, the ministry said. Five alleged ISIL members were killed and six were arrested. Officers seized weapons and explosive belts.
π The Backstory
Residents told Al Jazeera the shooting started around 6am and lasted two to three hours. Some said the group was about nine people, not the larger number officials reported.
Syria's new government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa joined the global military coalition against ISIL in November. Since then, security forces have reported several plots by ISIL cells and carried out repeated raids.
π― Why It Matters
ISIL cells are still active in Syria years after the group lost its land. Each raid shows the new government is still fighting for control, and that ordinary towns can turn into battle zones without warning.
Two members of Syria's internal security forces were killed in a raid near Damascus. Five more were wounded. The Interior Ministry said the target was a suspected ISIL cell in the town of Rankous, west of the capital.
Security forces moved in on Thursday morning. The suspects refused to give up and opened fire, the ministry said. Five alleged ISIL members were killed and six were arrested. Officers seized weapons and explosive belts.
Residents told Al Jazeera the shooting started around 6am and lasted two to three hours. Some said the group was about nine people, not the larger number officials reported.
Syria's new government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa joined the global military coalition against ISIL in November. Since then, security forces have reported several plots by ISIL cells and carried out repeated raids.
ISIL cells are still active in Syria years after the group lost its land. Each raid shows the new government is still fighting for control, and that ordinary towns can turn into battle zones without warning.