In a statement, the ministry clarified that in cooperation with the General Intelligence Directorate, it carried out a large-scale security campaign. The campaign included raiding 61 locations in several governorates, resulting in the arrest of 71 people, including prominent leaders in the “ISIS” organization.
The official spokesperson for the ministry, Nour El-Din Al-Baba, explained that this campaign comes as part of proactive and coordinated efforts to prevent the organization from regaining its strength before it can do so. He pointed out that accurate intelligence information revealed “ISIS” plans to carry out new attacks targeting the Syrian government and society, especially with the recent developments related to Syria’s joining the “International Coalition” to combat armed groups.
In a statement to the “Syrian News Channel,” Al-Baba added that the security operations included areas such as Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, Damascus and its countryside, in addition to the Syrian desert areas. He confirmed that investigations revealed the involvement of individuals in various crimes, including targeting civilians and members of the Ministry of Defense.
He affirmed that the intelligence agency monitored systematic attempts to reactivate “ISIS” cells by planning attacks on government institutions, official figures, and social components, with the aim of destabilizing security, spreading panic among citizens, and distorting the image of the Syrian state politically.
Al-Baba also added: “During the first months of the liberation of Syria, the activity of remnants of the defunct regime was the biggest challenge, but after overcoming that stage and destroying most of their cells and logistical support networks, the biggest danger now lies in ISIS’s efforts to reproduce itself and attract new elements, especially from the youth category.”
He stressed the importance of the intellectual and awareness role in protecting young generations from extremism, stressing that political and economic stability is the first line of defense in the face of armed groups.
