Senior IS commander arrested in joint operation by Syria, U.S.-led coalition

Alsharq Tribune-Ahmed Essam 

Syrian security forces arrested a senior leader of the Islamic State (IS) group during a security operation in the countryside of Damascus on Wednesday, Syrian state media reported.

Citing an Interior Ministry source, state-run SANA news agency said that the operation, carried out in coordination with the General Intelligence Service and a U.S.-led international coalition, targeted an IS hideout in the city of al-Moadamiya in Rural Damascus after intensive surveillance and intelligence monitoring.

Ahmad al-Dallati, head of internal security in Rural Damascus province, said the operation resulted in the arrest of the group's top leader in Damascus, identified as Taha al-Zoubi, also known as "Abu Omar Tabiya," along with several of his aides.

Al-Dallati said security forces also seized an explosive suicide belt and military-grade weaponry during the operation, describing the raid as a major blow to IS networks operating in and around the country's capital.

He stressed that Syrian authorities will continue pursuing IS remnants, warning that anyone involved in terrorism or providing support to the group will be held accountable.

The operation comes amid heightened security efforts across Syria following a series of attacks in recent weeks targeting security forces and civilians.

Also on Wednesday, Syrian security forces conducted an operation in the coastal province of Latakia, killing three members of an armed group.