Four members of the Syrian security forces were killed in an ISIS attack near Raqqa in Syria on February 23. The attack was one of several over the last two days. This illustrates that ISIS not only poses a threat but could be increasing activity.
This is occurring as US forces are withdrawing from Syria. In addition, the Syrian security forces have mostly closed a large camp called Al-Hol, where families linked to ISIS had been confined. Around 15,000 of these family members left, most of them children.
Syrian state media SANA said that “the Internal Security Forces on Monday successfully thwarted a terrorist attack targeting one of its security checkpoints in the city of Raqqa, northeastern Syria. The operation resulted in the martyrdom of four security personnel and the injury of two others, while one of the attacking terrorists was neutralized.”
The report went on to note that the Syrian government was conducting sweeps in the area. “The ongoing operation aims to track down and eliminate the remaining members of the terrorist cell responsible for the assault, ensuring the complete restoration of security in the sector.”
Syrian Ministry of Interior notes increase in attacks
The Syrian Interior Ministry noted that there have been several attacks over the last 48 hours. “Yesterday, the same checkpoint faced a similar attack, during which another terrorist operative was neutralized while attempting to undermine the stability and safety of the area.”
The attacks appear to be in the same Euphrates River valley where ISIS has operated in the past. Over the last seven years, most of this area was controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, who operated east of the Euphrates River. The other side of the river was run by the Assad regime until December, 2024, when the new government took over.
The new government has taken time to recruit forces and secure the desert areas near the Euphrates. In addition, US forces have left bases on both sides of the river, in Tanf, which is more than 100 miles away near the Jordanian border, and also at Omar field and other sides.
This potentially means there is a security vacuum now in the area between Raqqa and Shaddadi and the Iraqi border. Iraq has increased its security forces along the border over the last month.
Meanwhile, the Syrian government is in talks with the SDF to integrate it into several new brigades. However, the process is taking time, and this means that valuable SDF members with a decade of experience in fighting against ISIS may be left on the sidelines as the terror organization increases its threats.
Meanwhile in Syria, SANA said that “Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani conducted a telephone conversation with Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Foreign Affairs Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
In addition, Syria’s Chief of Staff, Maj.-Gen. Ali Noureddine al-Naasan, “met on Sunday with a delegation from the Syrian Democratic Forces to discuss steps for integrating SDF units into several brigades of the Syrian Arab Army.”
This is important for fighting ISIS. Also Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport said on Monday that rehabilitation work at Deir Ezzor Civil Airport is moving ahead. This means that Syrians can fly in security forces and supplies to fight ISIS in this area.