Syrian security forces kill two ISIS militants near Damascus

DAMASCUS, Aug 8: Syrian security forces killed two suspected ISIS militants after an armed clash as they allegedly attempted to plant an explosive device in the Damascus countryside, authorities said Friday.

The Interior Ministry’s Internal Security Forces Command said a night patrol spotted two masked men near a roadside in the Sayyida Zaynab area, south of Damascus, while they were monitoring routes leading to military barracks and government facilities.

According to the ministry, officers approached the suspects to verify their identities, but the men opened fire, triggering a gunbattle that ended with both suspects being killed.

A subsequent search of the area found that the two men had allegedly been preparing an explosive device for an attack targeting a government facility. Security forces also recovered explosive devices and weapons from the suspects.

The ministry said an investigation determined that the two men were affiliated with Daesh, also known as ISIS.

Syria joined the US-led international coalition against Daesh in November 2025. The coalition was established in 2014 and has carried out operations against the militant group in Syria and Iraq.