ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Security operations in southern Syria resulted in the dismantling of several cells belonging to the Islamic State (ISIS), the Syrian interior ministry announced Thursday, days after the capital Damascus was rocked by twin blasts that coincided with French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to the country.
The ministry's "specialized units," in cooperation with the Syrian intelligence service, "carried out a series of targeted security operations that resulted in the dismantling of several ISIS cells" in southern Syria, the interior ministry said in a statement posted on X.
The operations led to the arrest of a "prominent [ISIS] commander, Firas al-Dagher," who had risen through the group's leadership ranks to be appointed "Wali [Governor] of Lebanon and Palestine," the statement noted, adding that he also served as the personal bodyguard to ISIS's "Caliph."
Several senior members of the extremist group, "responsible for assassinations and financing," were also arrested alongside Dagher, the interior ministry added.
The development comes amid a notable surge of security breaches, especially in the Syrian capital, since the beginning of this month.
At least one person was killed and 31 others injured on Tuesday when two blasts struck central Damascus, as officials said the explosive devices had been planted minutes before detonating and were aimed at the security cordon protecting French President Emmanuel Macron, who had arrived in Syria the previous night on an official visit.
Last Thursday, a “terrorist attack” on a cafe in central Damascus killed nine people and left 20 others injured, Syria's interior ministry said in a Friday statement, suggesting the assault was carried out using a shrapnel-packed explosive device.
Prior to that, since the December 2024 ouster of longtime Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, the new leadership in Damascus, led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has faced a series of security challenges and insurgent incidents as it works to stabilize the country.
The deadliest incident since Assad's fall was the late June 2025 suicide attack on the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus during a Sunday service, which killed at least 25 people and injured over 60 others. Syrian authorities pointed to ISIS involvement.
Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab on Tuesday remarked that the new authorities in Damascus “are working with all diligence and determination to accelerate Syria’s development path, enhance its security, restore its rightful place among nations, and build a future worthy of its people.”
He affirmed that “the acts of sabotage … targeting our civilian population and security forces” will only prompt state institutions to “perform their duty to protect citizens, enhance security, and pursue all those behind these terrorist acts.”
