Two Syrian security personnel were killed and five others were wounded on 22 October 2026 during a raid in Rankous. The operation was conducted by the Internal Security Forces and the General Intelligence Service in the western Damascus countryside to target a Daesh cell. Officials from the Internal Security Forces stated that the militants involved sought to "stoke strife and undermine security and stability in the area." Security forces engaged the cell members during the operation, resulting in the casualties among the personnel. Authorities continue to monitor the border region following the confrontation.
Recent Counterterrorism Operations
Authorities arrested two suspects, identified by initials M. Kh. And A. H. On 16 October 2026. These individuals were detained for a plot to attack a police patrol. On the same day, officials seized an explosive device ready for detonation in the Damascus countryside. The discovery of the explosive device occurred as part of a broader push to neutralize threats in the region surrounding the capital.
Separately, the Internal Security Forces dismantled a Daesh-linked cell in the Houla area of northern Homs province on 16 October 2026. The operation resulted in the arrest of two members of the cell. Security forces also seized two explosive devices during the raid in the Houla area. The tactical intervention in the northern Homs province was conducted to prevent the cell from executing planned attacks in the vicinity.
High Profile Arrests Reported
The Interior Ministry announced the arrest of Khaled Raed Birouni, also known as Abu Hassan Dushka, on 6 October 2026. Security forces apprehended him during a targeted operation in Hujaira. Officials identified Khaled Raed Birouni as the top military commander of the Daesh "Homs Province." The capture of Khaled Raed Birouni followed intelligence gathering by the ministry regarding his movements in the Hujaira area. The Interior Ministry categorized the arrest of the top military commander as a significant development in ongoing efforts to disrupt the command structure of Daesh within the Homs region.
Context of Ongoing Instability
Bashar Assad fell from power on 8 December 2024. This change in governance preceded several security incidents reported in the Homs region. The security landscape has remained fluid as various administrative and security shifts have occurred across the country.
In December 2025, a bombing at the Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in Homs resulted in the deaths of eight people. The blast also left 18 others wounded. Emergency responders and security personnel arrived at the scene of the Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque following the detonation. The incident in Homs prompted a heightened security posture in the area. Security operations have continued across the country since these events as authorities attempt to manage militant activity. These persistent efforts involve the deployment of the Internal Security Forces and the General Intelligence Service to various provinces to address the ongoing threats posed by organized militant groups. The government continues to evaluate the security requirements necessary to maintain stability in the aftermath of the 2024 transition.
