Syria arrests senior Daesh leader near Damascus in joint coalition raid

Syrian security forces have arrested a high‑ranking Daesh leader in the Damascus countryside during a joint operation conducted with the international coalition against the terrorist group. The Interior Ministry announced the raid late Wednesday, highlighting increased coordination between Damascus and the US‑led coalition following Syria’s formal entry into the alliance last November.

Operation Details and Capture

Specialized units, working alongside the General Intelligence Directorate and coalition forces, carried out a targeted raid on a Daesh hideout in the city of Moadamiyah after extensive surveillance. The operation led to the arrest of Taha al‑Zoubi, also known as Abu Omar Tibiya, along with several of his aides. Security forces confiscated a suicide vest and military‑grade weapons during the action.

Strategic Significance

Brigadier General Ahmad al‑Dalati, head of internal security in the Damascus countryside, described the arrest as “a major blow” to Daesh and emphasized the readiness of Syrian security agencies to confront threats to the capital region. The operation follows the dismantling of another Daesh cell in Daraya just days earlier, where seven members were arrested.

Syria’s Role in the International Coalition

Syria formally joined the US‑led international coalition against Daesh on November 12, marking a shift in its previous non‑member status. The coalition, established in 2014, has conducted military operations against Daesh in both Syria and Iraq. Damascus’s increased cooperation signals a strategic alignment aimed at stabilizing government‑held areas and targeting remaining terrorist pockets.