Syrian security forces have launched a new operation against suspected ISIS (Daesh) cells in Aleppo province, arresting an unspecified number of suspected militants and seizing weapons, ammunition, and explosive materials.
The raids, conducted jointly by Syria’s internal security forces and the General Intelligence Service, targeted locations in Aleppo city and the nearby town of Al-Bab, highlighting the government’s continued efforts to dismantle the group’s remaining networks, News.Az reports.
Although ISIS no longer controls large areas of territory as it once did, the organization continues to pose a security threat in parts of Syria and neighboring Iraq through small, decentralized cells capable of carrying out attacks, recruiting supporters, and maintaining hidden weapons caches. The latest operation underscores the evolving nature of counterterrorism efforts, which now focus less on conventional warfare and more on intelligence-driven raids aimed at preventing the group from rebuilding its operational capabilities.
The operation also comes as Syria expands international cooperation against ISIS following its decision to join the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, signaling renewed efforts to coordinate regional and international counterterrorism activities.
What happened during the security operation in Aleppo?
Syrian security forces carried out a coordinated counterterrorism operation targeting suspected ISIS members in Aleppo city and surrounding areas. According to Syrian state media, the operation involved cooperation between the country’s internal security forces and the General Intelligence Service, reflecting an intelligence-led approach designed to locate and dismantle suspected extremist cells.
Authorities conducted raids at multiple locations in Aleppo city as well as in Al-Bab, a strategically important town in the eastern countryside of Aleppo province. During the operation, security forces detained an unspecified number of individuals suspected of belonging to ISIS and confiscated weapons, ammunition, and explosive materials believed to be linked to the group’s activities.
Officials have not released details regarding the identities of those arrested, the exact number of detainees, or the quantity of weapons recovered. Similarly, authorities have not indicated whether the suspects were allegedly preparing attacks, supporting logistical operations, or participating in recruitment activities.
The absence of detailed information is common in ongoing counterterrorism investigations, where security agencies often limit public disclosures to protect intelligence sources, preserve operational secrecy, and avoid compromising additional investigations.
The latest raids demonstrate that Syrian authorities continue conducting targeted security operations against suspected extremist networks rather than large-scale military campaigns. Such operations rely heavily on intelligence gathering, surveillance, and coordination among multiple security agencies to identify hidden cells operating in urban and rural areas.
Why does ISIS remain active in Syria despite losing its territory?
ISIS suffered major military defeats after losing the territory it once controlled across large parts of Syria and Iraq. At its peak, the organization governed millions of people and controlled extensive urban centers, oil fields, transportation routes, and financial resources. However, the collapse of its territorial “caliphate” did not eliminate the organization entirely.
Instead, ISIS adapted its strategy by shifting from governing territory to operating through smaller, decentralized networks. Rather than maintaining large conventional military formations, the group increasingly relies on mobile cells capable of conducting ambushes, bombings, assassinations, extortion, recruitment, and propaganda activities.
Syria’s complex security environment has contributed to the persistence of these networks. Years of conflict have created areas where governance remains fragile, infrastructure has been damaged, and security institutions continue rebuilding their capabilities. Such conditions may allow extremist groups to conceal personnel, store weapons, or maintain limited operational capacity.
ISIS also continues attempting to recruit supporters through online propaganda and local networks. Although its organizational strength has declined significantly, analysts generally agree that the group retains the ability to carry out isolated attacks designed to undermine security and demonstrate its continued existence.
Counterterrorism efforts therefore increasingly focus on preventing ISIS from reestablishing organizational structures rather than recapturing territory. Intelligence operations targeting leadership figures, financiers, recruiters, and logistical networks have become central components of the campaign against the group.
The latest arrests in Aleppo illustrate this continuing shift from conventional warfare toward long-term security and intelligence operations.
Why is Aleppo strategically important in Syria’s counterterrorism efforts?
Aleppo is one of Syria’s largest cities and has long held major strategic, economic, and political significance. Its geographic position near major transportation routes and the Turkish border has made the province an important area for both legitimate commerce and military operations throughout the Syrian conflict.
During different stages of the civil war, various armed groups controlled different parts of Aleppo province. As territorial control shifted repeatedly, numerous armed organizations established infrastructure, weapons depots, logistical routes, and support networks throughout the region.
Although the Syrian government regained control over much of Aleppo city, parts of the wider province remain politically and militarily complex. Different actors continue exercising influence in various areas, creating security challenges that require ongoing monitoring by government forces.
Al-Bab, where part of the latest operation occurred, has particular strategic importance because it sits near major road networks connecting northern Syria with neighboring regions. Control over transportation routes has historically been important for both military operations and the movement of personnel and supplies.
For counterterrorism agencies, Aleppo represents an area where intelligence collection remains especially important. Large urban populations, extensive transportation infrastructure, and the legacy of prolonged conflict create conditions that require continuous surveillance to detect hidden extremist cells before they can organize attacks.
Consequently, security operations in Aleppo frequently focus on identifying networks operating discreetly rather than confronting large concentrations of militants.
What role does intelligence play in modern counterterrorism operations?
Modern counterterrorism campaigns rely increasingly on intelligence rather than large-scale military offensives. As organizations like ISIS transition from controlling territory to operating through small clandestine networks, security agencies depend on accurate information to identify suspects before attacks occur.
Intelligence gathering involves multiple methods, including surveillance, communications analysis, informant networks, forensic investigations, financial monitoring, and digital evidence collection. These approaches help authorities identify individuals suspected of recruiting members, financing operations, storing weapons, or planning attacks.
Joint operations between intelligence services and police or military units have become increasingly common because each organization contributes different capabilities. Intelligence agencies may identify suspects and monitor their activities, while specialized security forces execute arrests and secure evidence during raids.
Weapons seizures also represent an important objective. Confiscating firearms, ammunition, and explosive materials not only prevents their immediate use but may also provide investigators with valuable forensic evidence regarding supply networks, manufacturing methods, and links between different extremist cells.
Successful intelligence operations often extend beyond the initial arrests. Information obtained during searches or questioning may lead authorities to additional suspects, financial supporters, safe houses, or weapons caches, expanding the overall impact of a single operation.
The Aleppo raids therefore illustrate how contemporary counterterrorism increasingly emphasizes prevention through intelligence-led policing rather than responding only after attacks have occurred.
What is the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, and why did Syria join it?
The Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS was established in 2014 as an international partnership aimed at weakening and ultimately defeating the extremist organization. Since its creation, the coalition has brought together numerous countries and international organizations to coordinate military, intelligence, financial, humanitarian, and stabilization efforts against ISIS.
Coalition activities have included supporting military operations, disrupting terrorist financing, countering extremist propaganda, training security forces, improving border security, and assisting communities affected by ISIS violence. Although military operations remain important, the coalition’s mission has expanded to include preventing the group’s long-term resurgence.
In November 2025, Syria signed a political cooperation declaration with the coalition, becoming its 90th member. The move represented an important development because it established a framework for broader cooperation in combating ISIS following years of complex regional political dynamics.
Membership does not necessarily mean every country participates in identical military activities. Instead, coalition members contribute in different ways depending on their capabilities, legal frameworks, and political priorities. Some focus on intelligence sharing, while others provide training, humanitarian assistance, financial measures, or military support.
For Syria, joining the coalition signals an intention to strengthen international cooperation against ISIS while improving coordination with other countries confronting the group’s remaining networks.
The latest operation in Aleppo reflects broader efforts to maintain pressure on ISIS through both domestic security measures and international cooperation.
What could happen next in Syria’s campaign against ISIS?
The arrests in Aleppo are unlikely to represent the end of Syria’s counterterrorism efforts. Instead, they are part of an ongoing campaign aimed at locating and dismantling remaining ISIS networks before they regain operational strength.
Investigators will likely examine the weapons, ammunition, explosive materials, and any digital devices seized during the operation. Such evidence may help identify additional suspects, uncover financial connections, locate safe houses, or reveal planned attacks. Intelligence gathered from one operation often leads directly to subsequent investigations.
Syrian security forces are also expected to continue conducting targeted raids in areas where intelligence indicates the presence of extremist cells. These operations may increasingly rely on cooperation among police, intelligence agencies, military units, and international partners.
International coordination is also likely to remain important. As a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, Syria may benefit from expanded intelligence sharing and broader cooperation aimed at preventing the group’s resurgence across the region.
Despite the territorial defeat of ISIS, security experts generally agree that the organization continues to pose a persistent threat through decentralized operations. Small cells require fewer resources than conventional military forces and can remain active even after suffering major organizational losses.
Ultimately, the success of Syria’s long-term campaign will depend not only on arresting suspected militants but also on disrupting recruitment, financing, weapons acquisition, and logistical support networks that enable extremist organizations to survive. While ISIS no longer controls significant territory, preventing its reemergence remains a central challenge for both Syria and the wider international counterterrorism community.