World · Middle East · 1 hr ago
Two Syrian security officers killed in raid near Damascus
Two Syrian security officers were killed and five wounded during a raid on a suspected ISIL cell on Thursday.
The clash took place in Rankous, in the countryside west of Damascus, during an operation by Syria’s security forces and intelligence service.
The Interior Ministry said five suspected ISIL fighters were killed and six arrested, and that weapons and explosive belts were seized.
ISIL has lost control of most territory it once held in Syria and Iraq, but fighters continue to carry out attacks on security forces and civilians.
Attacks on Syrian government forces rose from 16 in 2025 to 52 in the first half of 2026, according to a conflict monitor cited by The National.
The raid is part of a series of operations against ISIL networks as Syria’s government seeks to prevent further attacks.
Two Syrian Internal Security Forces members were killed and five were wounded in a raid on a suspected ISIL cell near Damascus.
The raid took place in Rankous, in the western Damascus countryside, on Thursday.
Syria’s Interior Ministry said five suspected fighters were killed and six arrested, and that weapons and explosive belts were seized.
The ministry said the suspects opened fire after refusing to surrender.
Residents gave a different account of the suspected cell’s size and casualties.
- Who
- Two Syrian security officers and suspected ISIL fighters.
- What
- Security forces raided a suspected ISIL cell; two officers were killed and five wounded.
- When
- Thursday, October 22, 2026. The fighting began in the morning.
- Where
- Rankous, in the western Damascus countryside.
- Why
- The authorities said they were targeting a suspected ISIL cell. The ministry said the suspects refused to surrender and opened fire.
Syrian authorities
Residents
Cell size
Syrian authorities
The Interior Ministry reported five suspected ISIL members killed and six arrested.
Residents
Residents said the group had about nine people.
Casualties and escape
Syrian authorities
The ministry reported five suspected fighters killed and six arrested.
Residents
Residents said two members were killed, two escaped and an unknown number were injured.
Syrian security forces began an operation against a suspected ISIL cell in Rankous.
Residents told Al Jazeera the clashes began; the fighting lasted two to three hours.
- Security officers killed
- 2
- Security officers wounded
- 5
- Location
- Rankous, western Damascus countryside
- Suspected fighters killed
- 5, according to the Interior Ministry
- People arrested
- 6, according to the Interior Ministry
3 sources
What people are saying
residents told her the clashes began around 6am (03:00 GMT) and lasted two to three hours