A History of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Publicly Announced Counterterrorism Actions Against Islamic State Leaders and Members
Today's arrests by the Syrian Caretaker Government against the Islamic State is a continuation of a counterterrorism campaign that HTS has been conducting against the Islamic State for years
Updated with the latest activity, see below for the original post:
February 18, 2025:
Public Security arrests a security cell of ISIS in the town of al-Naima, east of Dara'a.
February 15, 2025:
Syrian Intelligence Service: We were able to arrest Abu al-Harith al-Iraqi, a leader in the "ISIS" organization, who held important positions in the so-called Wilayat al-’Iraq, most notably the file of arrivals and the deputy head of equipment, who is considered responsible for preparing terrorist attacks. al-Iraqi is behind planning several operations, the most prominent of which was the assassination of the leader Maysar al-Jubouri and a number of other assassinations. The cell whose plan to target the Sayyida Zeinab shrine in the vicinity of the capital Damascus was thwarted was working under the direction of the leader Abu Al-Harith al-Iraqi. This operation comes within a series of qualitative operations to pursue ISIS cells in the region, as a number of members of cells that attempted to carry out criminal operations in several areas were arrested.
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For the first time since the fall of the Assad regime, the Islamic State plotted an attack against areas that would be considered a part of the new Syrian administration. It is true that the Islamic State has conducted attacks in its traditional area of operations in eastern Syria over the past month-plus, targeting the Syrian Democratic Forces. In the latter areas, it has claimed 20 such attacks, which falls relatively in line with the trend we have seen in the past year. There have of course been worries that IS would target the new Hayat Tahrir al-Sham-led Syrian Caretaker Government administrative areas. The fact that IS was unable to target Christmas and New Years celebrations was a good sign. However, it is not surprising that something would eventually happen. This first broken up plot by the HTS-led caretaker government highlights that IS was hoping as it has done in the past to spark sectarian tensions by attempting to go after the Sayyida Zainab shrine (a shrine that has had historical and contemporary significance for Shia Muslims - in recent times especially for Iran and its Shia jihadist proxy network), which is about 7.5 miles southeast of the center of Damascus. There will no doubt be more plots and unfortunately likely successful attacks by IS at some point in the new Syria. To better understand how the HTS-led caretaker government might deal with it, it is worth reading the article I wrote that came out in February 2023 looking at HTS’s development of its counterterrorism campaign against IS. The only article as far as I am aware that discusses this subject. Additionally, below, for reference, you will find primary sources on all of HTS’s actions against IS, as described by them, including this most recent new arrest today.
January 11, 2025:
The General Intelligence Service, through the department responsible for combating ISIS, and in cooperation with the General Security Directorate in the Damascus countryside, succeeded in thwarting an ISIS attempt to bomb the Sayyida Zainab shrine in the vicinity of the capital, Damascus. The operation resulted in the arrest of the people involved in this criminal act.
Public Security Forces raid a hideout of ISIS members in the Damascus countryside, who were planning criminal acts in the area
Pictures of members of the criminal cell affiliated with ISIS after their arrest
Some of the explosive equipment and weapons that were in the possession of the criminal cell
September 16, 2024:
"Arresting a security cell affiliated with ISIS in the Killi area in the Idlib countryside, through several tight ambushes and raids on their hideouts in the area, where light weapons and silencers prepared for assassinations were found. The cell members confessed to several operations they carried out in the liberated areas, such as attacking the Burj al-Nimra checkpoint in Sarmada and attempting to assassinate (A.D.) by shooting him and his family in Birat Kaftin. The cell members also confessed to planning to attack the Mujahideen headquarters in the same area."
August 25, 2024:
"The Ministry of Interior breaks up an IS cell in the town of Termanin, which was responsible for killing two civilians from the town of Salwa a couple of weeks ago. The clash began between the Mujahideen of the Public Security Department and the cell affiliated with ISIS directly after they refused to surrender and took the initiative to shoot at the special force, which led to the martyrdom of one of the Mujahideen of the Public Security. The clash with the cell affiliated with ISIS led to the killing of its leader, called "Abdul Qader," and the injury of another before his arrest."
August 12, 2024:
"A pursuit operation carried out by the Executive Force of the Public Security Department in the Deir Hassan area against a group, some of whose members belong to ISIS, involved in several crimes in the Idlib and Azaz areas. The Executive Force asked the group to stop and surrender, so they opened fire directly at the force, resulting in one injury among the force’s ranks. The group was then engaged in a clash in the aforementioned area. The clash with the group, some of whose members belong to ISIS, in the Deir Hassan area resulted in the killing of 3 of its members, the injury of a fourth, and the arrest of three others. We confirm that we in the Public Security Department will not be lenient with any cell or group that disturbs the security of the liberated area and tries to spread corruption in it, and our blood is offered before our people to defend them and their property, and we ask God for a speedy recovery for one of our Mujahideen who was injured in today’s operation."
May 31, 2024:
Pictures of the members of the cell that was arrested in the Harem area and responsible for the killing of Sheikh “Abu Maria Al-Qahtani"
May 30, 2024:
As part of a series of continuous security operations by the competent division in the Public Security Department, one of our units was able to track down the members of the cell who carried out the treacherous criminal act that targeted the leading Sheikh, “Aba Maria Al-Qahtani” - may God have mercy on him - this treacherous operation in which one of their suicide bombers blew himself up in the Sheikh’s guest house. A car bomb and a motorcycle bomb were dismantled at the work site. We also found explosive materials, circuits, detonators, several explosive belts and devices that were prepared for security operations in the area. During the clash, one of the cell members was killed and another was injured, while the rest were arrested.
A video speech by the Minister of Interior talking about the criminal cell involved in the assassination of Sheikh “Abu Maria Al-Qahtani”
Public Security Department forces deployed to the site of their clash with an ISIS cell in the Harem area, to secure the place and protect civilians
Public Security forces of the Ministry of Interior raided a building in which an ISIS cell was holed up in the Harem area, killed a number of them, arrested the rest after clashing with them, and seized weapons, ammunition, explosive belts, and a car bomb that they were in possession of
November 19, 2022:
Regarding the arrest of a cell targeting the mujahidin and the Turkish army in Jabal al-Zawiya
Members of the cell involved in targeting the mujahidin in Jabal al-Zawiya, in addition to targeting Turkish points
After several court operations, a cell calling itself "Ansar Allah" linked to the "Islamic State" organization was arrested, targeting the mujahidin in the Jabal al-Zawiya area, in addition to targeting the Turkish army.
August 24, 2022:
Regarding the arrest of the criminals who killed "Turki Bayas" and his wife in the Kaftin area, north of Idlib
Members of the IS cell involved in the killing of "Turki Bayas" and his wife
Weapons and seizures that were in possession of the criminals during the process of arresting them
August 23, 2022:
In less than 72 hours, the General Security Service was able to arrest the criminals who killed the individual known as "Turki Bayas" and his wife in the Kaftin area, north of Idlib
June 17, 2022:
Part of the directives and work of the Executive Force during the a security operation that targeted leaders of the State organization in the city of al-Dana
June 14, 2022:
A statement regarding the arrest of leaders of what is known as Wilayat al-Sham, affiliated with the Islamic State
Weapons seized with ISIS cells during the raid on their hideouts
Raiding the hideouts of ISIS cells and arresting its leaders
The arrest of a number of "ISIS" leaders in a large-scale security operation
October 6, 2021:
A member of the "Islamic State" organization involved in the killing of a person affiliated with the Ansar al-Tawhid faction in the city of Idlib
August 31, 2021:
Weapons and equipment seized by the General Security Service in the possession of the “ISIS” cell in the city of Jisr al-Shughur in the Idlib countryside
Members of the "ISIS" cell are in the grip of the General Security Service after their arrest in the city of Jisr al-Shughur, west of Idlib
The Executive Force arrested members of a cell affiliated with the "Islamic State" organization, after raiding a den in the city of Jisr al-Shughur in the western countryside of Idlib
July 11, 2021:
Some weapons and explosives found at the headquarters of an "ISIS" cell
The process of raiding members of an “ISIS” cell by the Executive Force
The Executive Force raided several hideouts of the "Islamic State" organization in the town of al-Foua and the city of Kafr Takharim in the Idlib countryside
March 27, 2021:
The elimination of an "ISIS" cell in the town of Atma, after a clash that lasted for hours
The elimination of an "ISIS" cell in the town of Atma, after a clash that lasted for hours
After clashes that lasted for five hours with a cell of the "Islamic State" organization in the city of Atma, north of Idlib, the General Security Service eliminates the cell and secures the entire place
March 19, 2021:
Weapons and equipment seized from an ISIS cell
Clashes with an ISIS cell in a neighborhood of Idlib city
The General Security Service raids several ISIS hideouts in Idlib governorate
February 24, 2021:
The arrest of members of an "ISIS" cell in the city of Atarib, west of Aleppo
The Executive Force raids a den of the "Islamic State" organization in the city of Atarib, west of Aleppo
January 31, 2021:
The Executive Force of the General Security Service raided the hiding place of "Abu Dujana" affiliated with the "Islamic State" organization, killing him after a clash with him in the city of al-Dana
After monitoring and follow-up, the General Security Service was able to kill the so-called "Abu Dujana al-Daghestani," who belongs to the "Islamic State" organization in the city of al-Dana
January 15, 2021:
January 13, 2021:
Details of the Kafr Takhārīm Operation On a ‘State Organization’ Cell
January 12, 2021:
The General Security Service besieges a den of an ISIS cell in the city of Kafr Takharim in Idlib countryside, and a member of the Executive Force was martyred
October 11, 2020:
The forces deployed in the town of "Talada" were able to arrest three wanted fugitives - two of them were members of the "Islamic State Organization"
September 26, 2020:
The killing of the prominent Iraqi leader in ISIS, Yusef Numan, nicknamed "Abu Al-Harith," brother of Hajj Taysir - the former wali of Iraq - with one of his companions
August 14, 2020:
Seizure of explosive materials in one of the Kharijites’ hideouts
August 11, 2020:
The Work Of the Anti-Kharijites Department During the Past Few Months
July 15, 2020:
The Executive Force stormed one of the most important dens of the "Khawarij" in the village of Kafr Daryan, in the Sarmada region
July 13, 2020:
The results of the security operation carried out by the Executive Force on one of the Kharijites’ hideouts in the town of Sarmin
A raid on one of the dens of Kharijites cells inside the town of Sarmin and the killing of its leader
The Executive Force of the General Security Service raids a den of "Khawarij" cells in the town of Sarmin
June 24, 2020:
A raid on one of the ISIS hideouts, west of Idlib
January 20, 2020:
The security apparatus in Tahrir al-Sham raided the house of a Khariji security agent in the village of Majdlaya in Idlib countryside and managed to kill him after he tried to detonate his explosive belt
December 23, 2019:
The security apparatus arrests a cell that manufactures IEDs to distribute them to the Khariji cells in the liberated areas, after a raid in the towns of Zardana
December 8, 2019:
The security apparatus in Tahrir al-Sham arrested a number of Kharijites after a raid in the Musaybin area and the outskirts of the city of Idlib
May 7, 2019:
A member of the Kharijites' cells was killed in the city of Idlib due to the explosion of an explosive device
April 30, 2019:
April 8, 2019:
Implementation of the hadd of war against one of the Khariji security forces in the city of Jisr al-Shughur, west of Idlib
April 4, 2019:
Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham arrests a Kharijite member south of Idlib
March 9, 2019:
Tahrir al-Sham arrests two Kharijites in Hazano
February 27, 2019:
One of the Kharijites’ leaders and their new hideouts have been discovered by the security apparatus for Tahrir al-Sham
January 20, 2019:
Tahrir al-Sham implements the verdict of qisas against 12 members of the Kharijites in the location of the headquarters that was targeted by their car bomb
Tahrir al-Sham implements the verdict of qisas against 12 members of the al-Baghdadi Gang
The security apparatus of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham raided one of the hideouts of al-Baghdadi's Gang in the city of Sarmin
December 16, 2018:
The security apparatus of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham begins an extensive security campaign on the strongholds of the Kharijites in the town of Musaybin, south of Idlib
November 10, 2018:
The security apparatus of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham arrested 12 members of the al-Baghdadi Gang in the town of Tal Menes in the eastern countryside of Idlib
October 21, 2018:
The security apparatus of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham managed to arrest one of the security forces of al-Baghdadi's Gang, the owner of a car bomb that was seized in the village of Musaybin, south of Idlib
September 22, 2018:
The security apparatus of Tahrir al-Sham arrested two leaders of the Kharijite's organization
September 20, 2018:
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham kills one of the Kharijites, and an agent of the Nusayri regime
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham implements the verdict of qisas against 5 members of al-Baghdadi's Gang
The security apparatus of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham implements the verdict of qisas against 5 members of al-Baghdadi's Gang
September 11, 2018:
The governor of the so-called Wilayat Hama in al-Baghdadi's Gang, "Abu Hamza al-Masri" is in the grip of the security apparatus of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
September 3, 2018:
Arrest of two of the largest Kharijites heads in the region
August 17, 2018:
Implementation of the verdict of qisas against 6 members of the Kharijites in the countryside of Idlib
August 8, 2018:
After dismantling most of al-Baghdadi's Gang cells, Tahrir al-Sham begins campaigns against the Godfather of "reconciliation"
August 3, 2018:
A security operation by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham targets the hideouts of the Kharijites and the heads of reconciliation in the countryside of Idlib
August 1, 2018:
The security apparatus of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham arrested one of the security forces of al-Baghdadi's Gang after a raid in the town of Kansafra in the southern countryside of Idlib
July 26, 2018:
The cells of the Kharijites were killed and wounded at the hands of the mujahidin of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
July 25, 2018:
A new security operation by Tahrir al-Sham topples one of the heads of al-Baghdadi's Gang
A new achievement for Tahrir al-Sham in the al-Baghdadi Gang file
July 16, 2018:
The security apparatus of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham carries out a qisas operation against a group of Khariji leaders
The deployment of security barriers for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in the city of Sarmin in the countryside of Idlib after the campaign against the hideouts of some Khariji cells
July 14, 2018:
Tahrir al-Sham arrests a senior Khariji security agent and takes revenge on him
June 29, 2018:
An agreement between Tahrir al-Sham and the Shura Council of Sarmin on raiding the hideouts of the Kharijites in the city
June 22, 2018:
The security apparatus of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham arrested the leader of the "Islamic State" organization, "Saad al-Hunaiti" in the city of al-Dana
May 28, 2018:
Tahrir al-Sham leads a security campaign to purify the liberated areas from the Kharijites
April 19, 2018:
January 3, 2018:
A security operation targets one of the Kharijites’ hideouts in the eastern countryside of Idlib
December 25, 2017:
The work of the fortification company on the ribat lines on the Khariji fronts in the eastern Hama countryside
September 18, 2017:
The Security Campaign Against the Kharijites
July 10, 2017:
The deployment of patrols and checkpoints of the mujahidin of Tahrir al-Sham in the liberated north to control security and prevent the escape of the remnants of the Kharijites from the area
July 9, 2017:
The large-scale security operation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham against ISIS cells in Idlib and its countryside
The arrest of leaders and members of the “Islamic State” organization in the liberated north, as part of the security operation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in the region
Part of the raids on the homes of "ISIS" cells in the city of Idlib
July 7, 2017:
The full story of seizing a cell affiliated with the "Islamic State" organization, west of Idlib
May 27, 2017:
The mujahidin perform the funeral prayer for the dead of the Kharijites in the western Qalamoun
February 24, 2017:
Al-Yarmūk Refugee Camp: Steadfastness and Firmness in the Face of Tyrants and Kharijites
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As Jabhat Fatah al-Sham:
July 31, 2016:
Repelling An Attempted Advance By the Kharijites in Rural Northeastern Dar'ā
As Jabhat al-Nusrah:
April 26, 2016:
April 11, 2016:
February 19, 2016:
November 3, 2015:
Pictures from the meeting of the Quneitra clans with their mujahidin sons from Jabhat al-Nusra to fight the thought of the Kharijites in the region
October 31, 2015:
Reality of the Killing of Abū al-Walid al-Maqdisī, Sharī'ī of the State Organization in al-Qalamūn
July 14, 2015:
The Mujāhidīn: Between the Dagger of the Shabīḥah and the Kharijites
June 21, 2015:
June 9, 2015:
Targeting Kharijites In Rural Northern Aleppo With Heavy Weapons and Tanks
June 2, 2015:
May 13, 2015:
Official Position on Fighting the 'State' Group (Kharijites) in Eastern al-Qalimūn
August 22, 2014:
Quick words from muhajirun and ansar heading to respond to the Kharijites in Aleppo