Syria announces dismantling of ISIS cell active in four governorates

Syrian authorities announced the dismantling of an ISIS cell accused of kidnappings and bombings across Raqqa, Aleppo, Idlib, and Homs.

• Syria's internal security forces, with the general intelligence service, announced the dismantling of the ISIS cell.
• The operation arrested four cell leaders in Raqqa and additional members in Aleppo, Idlib, and Homs.
• Explosives prepared for attacks were seized from the cell, and authorities said preliminary investigations tied it to five kidnappings.
• In August, authorities announced the arrest of Hamza Abdullah Muhammad, a senior ISIS military leader, in Aleppo's Manbij countryside.
• The authorities said the detainees from the dismantled cell are to be referred to the judiciary.
• Authorities said the cell was also involved in assassinations in addition to kidnappings and bombings.
• Raids also yielded weapons, ammunition, and hand grenades in addition to the explosives.