Syria’s new authorities have dismantled a so-called Islamic State and al-Sham (ISIS) terrorist cell in the Harem area of Idlib province in cooperation with the General Intelligence Service, the Ministry of Interior announced on August 7, according to state-controlled media SANA.

The new Turkish-backed authorities led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa have gone to extensive efforts to consolidate security control over the previously war-torn country following the collapse of the al-Assad regime in 2024. Several remnants of Islamist groups, not aligned with their ruling faction, have now come under increasing scrutiny with skirmishes across the country since the establishment of the al-Sharaa regime.

Colonel Ghassan Mohammed Bakir, head of internal security in Idlib, said the internal security command in the province carried out a special security operation in cooperation with the General Intelligence Service targeting a terrorist cell affiliated with ISIS in the Harem area.

The operation resulted in the complete dismantling of the terrorist cell, whose members were found to be involved in carrying out several assassination operations targeting three people in Salqin city, another in Azzmarin city in western Idlib countryside, and a person in Kaftin village in northern Idlib, all of Iraqi nationality, Colonel Bakir said.

The special tasks unit seized a weapons warehouse during the operation, containing various quantities including explosive vests, explosive devices, sniper rifles, light machine guns, mortar shells, explosive materials and a workshop designated for manufacturing and booby-trapping, with all seized items confiscated, the internal security chief said.

Colonel Bakir affirmed that internal security forces continue performing their national duty with determination and steadfastness until uprooting anyone who attempts to compromise the security of the nation and its citizens.

The arrested men have been transferred to the counter-terrorism department to complete investigations before being presented to the competent judiciary.

These clashes come in the wake of sectarian violence experienced by the post-Assad country over the past two weeks, with clashes in the south leading to Israeli airstrikes, purportedly to protect a Druze population clashing with Bedouin tribes in Suwayda province. Those airstrikes included the bombing of the defence ministry and military General Staff HQ in Damascus and forces of the interim government. 

Turkey has accused Israel of wanting a "fragmented" Syria on its doorstep in line with selfish Israeli interests. In contrast, Israel has accused Turkey of wanting to make a "protectorate" out of Syria.