By Samah Abdul Fattah | 2025-11-13

The US-led international coalition forces are relentlessly pursuing "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) cells operating across Syrian territory.

On Saturday, November 1, coalition forces successfully arrested the five members of a terrorist cell after raiding their hideout in the town of Tal al-Saman, north of al-Raqa.

Intelligence information was key to the arrest of the cell, which had been planning attacks across northeastern Syria. Notably, three of its members were considered highly dangerous individuals involved in previous terrorist attacks against coalition forces, civilians, and service institutions.

Raiding the hideouts

"The international coalition forces are noticeably continuing to pursue ISIS elements and cells in Syria. The coalition conducts raids on hideouts used by ISIS for planning and carrying out terrorist operations that target not only military posts but also civilian and service institutions that benefit local populations," al-Raqa resident and retired teacher Mahmoud al-Amin told Al-Fassel.

He stated that he has been a resident of the al-Raqa region since childhood, living through the time when the group held power and inflicted terror, murder, and widespread destruction.

"Having suffered great injustice, the local population is vigilant and promptly reports suspicious elements. This cooperation helps prevent terrorist groups from moving and executing attacks," he added.

"The current security situation is excellent, thanks to security checks that successfully detect any suspicious activity. Residents are highly cooperative with all emergency security measures, actively helping coalition forces perform their duties," al-Amin said.

ISIS lacks leadership

"The US-led international coalition is determined to pursue ISIS remnants as part of its core mandate to establish stability and security, thereby blocking any terrorist efforts to reintroduce chaos," military expert, retired Major General Nasser Saif al-Nasr told Al-Fassel

"Current operations in Syria rely primarily on intelligence, surveillance, and monitoring. These capabilities are essential for tracking ISIS cells, successfully raiding their hideouts, and arresting their members," he added.

"The continuous uncovering of ISIS cells and the high success rate of operations are a result of the group's lack of organization and central leadership," Saif al-Nasr noted.

"Their cells' inexperience and lack of military training make them vulnerable to detection and subsequent arrest by security forces," he said.