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

The Syrian Interior Ministry says five suspected fighters killed and six arrested outside of Damascus.Published On 22 Oct 202622 Oct 2026Two members of Syria’s internal security forces have been killed and five wounded in clashes with a suspected ISIL (ISIS) cell during a raid on the outskirts of Damascus, the Interior Ministry reported.The fighting began on Thursday morning, when security forces launched an operation against the cell in the town of Rankous in the western Damascus countryside. The operation is the latest in a series of raids as the government tries to dismantle ISIL networks and prevent attacks.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Israeli raids and arrests in southern Syria push population to the brinklist 2 of 3Israeli forces kill disabled man in southern Syria raid, state media sayslist 3 of 3US ambassador to Turkiye: Rethinking US role in the Middle Eastend of listThe ministry said the suspects refused to surrender and opened fire, triggering the clashes. Five alleged ISIL members were killed and six arrested, and weapons and explosive belts were seized.Al Jazeera’s Heidi Pett, reporting from Syria, said residents told her the clashes began around 6am (...