The Syrian government arrested a prominent ISIS leader, Taha al Zoubi (also known as Abu Omar Tabiya), along with several associates, according to a statement from the Syrian Interior Minister on Wednesday.
Zoubi was reportedly apprehended with a suicide belt and a weapon at the time of his arrest.
Major General Ahmad Al-Dalati, head of internal security in Rural Damascus, noted: "Our specialized units, in cooperation with the General Intelligence Directorate and the International Coalition Forces, conducted a targeted security operation at one of the hideouts of the ISIS terrorist organization in the town of Moadamiya, Rural Damascus, after extensive monitoring and intelligence surveillance."
The statement went on to address the terror group directly: "We send a clear message to anyone who dares to engage in terrorism or support ISIS: the hand of justice will reach them wherever they are, and they will find no refuge in our land."
"The security of Syria is a red line, and we will continue to strike with an iron fist until we completely eliminate the remnants of terrorism and their hideouts."
Syria's international partnerships
The arrest follows an increase in raids by the Syrian government on both ISIS and weapons smugglers ignited in the wake of the December 13 attack on US forces near Palmyra, in which two American soldiers and one interpreter were killed.
The US and Syria have been working together to combat ISIS this year, particularly after Damascus announced its intention to join the International Coalition in November. This decision followed a meeting between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and US President Donald Trump.
Over the last three months, Syrian forces, in collaboration with the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), conducted multiple anti-ISIS operations aimed at complete disarmament and demilitarization of the terror group.
Seth Frantzman, and The Jerusalem Post staff contributed to this report.