Sweida, Syria : The Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for its first assault on Syria’s newly formed government forces, marking a shift in its operational targets following the ouster of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad.
According to a statement released through the SITE Intelligence Group, IS militants planted an explosive device targeting a military patrol vehicle in the southern province of Sweida. The blast, which occurred on Wednesday, struck a convoy of the Syrian army’s 70th Division using a remote-controlled landmine.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) confirmed the attack, noting that one civilian accompanying the troops was killed while three Syrian soldiers sustained injuries.
Although IS lost its territorial control across Syria and Iraq in 2019, remnants of the group have continued to operate from desert regions in central Syria. Until now, their attacks had largely targeted Kurdish-led forces in the country’s northeast. This latest strike signals a potential change in focus toward the new administration that took power in Damascus after Assad was ousted in December.
The current Syrian government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa and reportedly backed by a coalition of Islamist factions, has been working to stabilize the war-ravaged nation. However, this fresh attack underlines the ongoing challenges to security.
Earlier this week, Syrian authorities announced the dismantling of an IS cell near Damascus, alleging that its members were plotting further attacks. A separate confrontation in Aleppo earlier this month led to the deaths of three IS fighters and one government security officer.
The resurgence of IS activity has drawn concern from the international community. During a recent diplomatic visit to Riyadh, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Syrian President al-Sharaa to assist in curbing the re-emergence of the terror outfit.
The situation remains tense, with observers warning that the group’s return to high-profile attacks could destabilize efforts to rebuild post-Assad Syria and reignite regional conflict.
