ISIS Says Its Cells In Southern Syria Carried Out 34 Attacks In Past Seven Months, Killed Over 50

ISIS cells in Syrian southern region carried out 34 operations over the past seven months, the terrorist group’s official al-Naba newspaper reported in its June 20 issue.

According to the newspaper, the terrorist operations, which took place in the governorates of Daraa, al-Quneitra and al-Suwayda, claimed the lives of 51 people. The victims included government service members and “collaborators,” a term the terrorist group uses to describe former rebels or civilians who oppose its ideology.

Al-Naba revealed that ISIS didn’t announce any of its recent operations in southern Syria in line with a media and security policy put by its leadership.

ISIS cells in southern Syria received several large blows in the last few months. Many of its top commanders were killed in counter-terrorism operation conducted by government forces and local fighters. The most notable operation took place in the town of Jasim in mid-October. ISIS top leader Abu al-Hasan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi was killed in the operation along with other senior commanders of the terrorist group.

Earlier this week, one of the terrorist group’s security commanders in the region, Muhammad Ali al-Shaghouri, was killed in a raid by Syrian security forces that took place in the town of al-Muzayrib in the western Daraa countryside.

The recent developments in southern Syria revealed that ISIS presence in the region is much larger than what was thought initially.

Government forces are currently working with local fighters to uproot ISIS from the southern region. However, this will likely take much time and efforts. The terrorist group’s insurgency there will likely continue throughout this year, even if on a slower pace.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC:

• Turkey Steps Up Artillery, Rocket Strikes On Northern Syria After Attack On Border Base (Video)
• Escalation Continues In Northwestern Syria