Russia, Syrian Regime Hunt ISIS Cells in As Suwayda Desert

A  photo published by the “As Suwayda 24” website, of a previous combing operation in the Syrian Badia
A photo published by the “As Suwayda 24” website, of a previous combing operation in the Syrian Badia
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Russia, Syrian Regime Hunt ISIS Cells in As Suwayda Desert

A  photo published by the “As Suwayda 24” website, of a previous combing operation in the Syrian Badia
A photo published by the “As Suwayda 24” website, of a previous combing operation in the Syrian Badia

Russian helicopters and Syrian regime drones combed Syrian airspace eight kilometers away from the war-torn nation’s borders with Jordan, reported local sources from the southwestern province of As Suwayda.

Combing operations kickstarted last Saturday against ISIS cells present in the Syrian Badia. Missions went beyond reconnaissance to bombing several locations. The explosions of bombing raids were heard in As Suwayda.

Moreover, caves in the southern parts of the Syrian Badia were raided as well. The caves are believed to be used as hideouts by ISIS militants.

Areas raided include Abu Sharehouh and Tal Sayyar. Helicopters also flew over the eastern side of Isna village in As Suwayda.

They also conducted a sweep in the As Suwayda desert, using machine guns.

Villagers residing in the eastern countryside of As Suwayda watched military helicopters fly at a low altitude over the provincial capital, also called As Suwayda.

The aircrafts were also accompanied by Russian drones.

“Syrian regime military units conducted raids and combing operations in some areas in the As Suwayda desert during the past two days, with the backing of Russian air forces,” Rayan Maarouf, a managing editor at the As Suwayda 24 network, told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“The combing operations began from several axes in the Suwayda desert,” he revealed.

According to military sources, the combing operations in the eastern and southeastern As Suwayda Badia come as a continuation of the military operations in eastern Syria to pursue ISIS terror cells.

The push in As Suwayda comes after military units have cornered ISIS cells in the desert of Homs.

There are fears that ISIS elements would flee towards other areas in the Badia.

“Ultimately, these operations seek to secure the region after a recent resurgence of suspicious movements from elements affiliated with ISIS,” a military source said.

“Combing operations will continue for several days, and will include all parts of the As Suwayda desert,” they added.



Israel Says Apprehended Members of Iran-backed Cell in Syria

06 July 2025, Palestinian Territories, Tulkarm: An Israeli soldier enforces a ban as he attempts to enter the Tulkarm refugee camp in the West Bank. Photo: Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
06 July 2025, Palestinian Territories, Tulkarm: An Israeli soldier enforces a ban as he attempts to enter the Tulkarm refugee camp in the West Bank. Photo: Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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Israel Says Apprehended Members of Iran-backed Cell in Syria

06 July 2025, Palestinian Territories, Tulkarm: An Israeli soldier enforces a ban as he attempts to enter the Tulkarm refugee camp in the West Bank. Photo: Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
06 July 2025, Palestinian Territories, Tulkarm: An Israeli soldier enforces a ban as he attempts to enter the Tulkarm refugee camp in the West Bank. Photo: Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Israel's military said Monday it had apprehended members of an Iran-backed cell in southern Syria, the second such operation it has announced in the past week.

Since the December overthrow of Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes primarily on military sites and carried out cross-border ground raids.

In a statement, the military said troops "completed an overnight operation to apprehend a cell that was operated by the Iranian Quds Force in the Tel Kudna area of southern Syria."

"For the second time in the past week... troops completed a targeted overnight operation and apprehended several operatives who posed a threat in the area," the statement added.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said Israeli forces raided early Monday a village in the Quneitra countryside of southern Syria and "carried out searches targeting several homes, which ended with the arrest of two brothers".

On Wednesday, Israel's military said its forces had apprehended members of an Iranian-backed "terrorist cell" in southern Syria and seized weapons.