International Coalition: ISIS faces growing difficulties despite focus on Syria

The International Coalition reported that ISIS mercenaries are facing mounting challenges in Syria, despite calls for their supporters to intensify their focus on the Syrian theater.

The Coalition noted that ISIS did not claim responsibility for any attacks in Syria over the past month—an indication of its diminished capacity to execute or announce operations—while security forces continue their efforts to pursue the group's cells and networks.

It pointed out that ongoing security operations are exerting increasing pressure on ISIS activities, limiting the group's ability to regroup and launch attacks across various parts of Syria.

The Coalition views sustained security pressure on ISIS as a crucial factor in curbing the group's ability to exploit security conditions and rebuild its networks within Syria.

However, while the International Coalition reported no claims of responsibility by ISIS for attacks in Syria last month, the country witnessed operations attributed to—or linked to—the group's cells, according to security and human rights sources.

On July 7, for instance, IED attacks targeted areas near the Ministry of Tourism in Damascus, killing one person and injuring 36 others; the Syrian Ministry of Interior later announced the arrest of a cell that investigations revealed was affiliated with ISIS.

In the same context, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented five attacks carried out by ISIS cells during the period covered by its July report. These included three attacks in Deir ez-Zor that killed civilians and injured another, an attack in Hasaka that killed a military member, and an attack in Aleppo that wounded a security officer. On July 2, Damascus also witnessed a bombing targeting a café near the Palace of Justice, resulting in deaths and injuries; while no group claimed responsibility, security forces stated that ISIS was behind the attack.

Sh-S

ANHA