Two Syrian security officers killed in raid on ISIL cell near Damascus

Two members of Syria's internal security forces have been killed and five wounded in clashes with an ISIL cell near Damascus, the Interior Ministry has said.

The fighting began on Thursday morning, when security forces launched an operation against the cell outside the capital, according to Al Jazeera English. The ministry said the suspects refused to surrender and opened fire, triggering the clashes. Five suspected fighters were killed and six arrested, officials said.

Al Jazeera correspondent Heidi Pett, reporting from Syria, said residents told her the clashes began around 6am. Residents said the group was smaller than officials reported, and told the local outlet Syria Now that security forces imposed a curfew and made several arrests during the operation.

The ministry also said it foiled an ISIL plot in the Damascus countryside and dismantled another ISIL cell elsewhere. Earlier this month, the ministry announced the arrest of Khaled Raed Birouni, also known as Abu Hassan Dusuqi, accusing him of planning attacks including the December 2025 bombing of a mosque in Wadi al-Dhahab, Homs, which killed eight people and wounded others.

ISIL has repeatedly attacked Syrian security forces, usually targeting buses and vehicles carrying personnel. Syria joined the 90-member international coalition against ISIL in November, Al Jazeera reported.