Syria Arrests Two Suspected Daesh Members in Deir Ezzor

Syrian authorities have arrested two suspected members of Daesh in the eastern governorate of Deir Ezzor. Officials accuse the pair of involvement in several targeted killings, including the killing of a member of the Defence Ministry.

The General Intelligence Service carried out the operation with the Internal Security Forces in Deir Ezzor on Sunday, 1 November.

In a statement, the security forces said intelligence work helped them identify and arrest the two suspects. They also reported finding weapons and ammunition at a hideout linked to the suspects.

Suspects linked to killing of defence ministry member

Syrian authorities say the two men took part in a series of assassinations across Deir Ezzor.

The latest case involved Ibrahim al-Jasim, a member of the Defence Ministry. He was shot near al-Rasheed Mosque in the city of al-Mayadin, according to the authorities.

Officials have not released further details about the suspects or the evidence against them. They say investigations are continuing.

The authorities are also working to identify possible links between the suspects and other members of the group.

Weapons seized during security operation

Security forces said they found weapons and ammunition inside a hideout linked to the suspected cell.

The seizure forms part of a wider effort to prevent armed groups from keeping weapons and planning attacks in the region.

The suspects are expected to face legal proceedings after investigators complete their work. Their alleged involvement has not yet been tested in court.

Daesh remains a security concern in Syria

Daesh lost control of its last major territory in Syria in 2019. However, the group has continued to operate through small cells.

These cells have carried out attacks against security personnel and other targets. They often rely on local networks and hidden weapons.

A United Nations report presented to the Security Council in July 2026 estimated that Daesh had around 3,000 fighters in Syria.

The group has also faced repeated operations by Syrian security forces. In October, authorities announced that they had disrupted other suspected Daesh cells in the country.

Challenge for Syria’s new authorities

Syria’s authorities have made security a key part of their efforts to stabilise the country after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

But attacks and suspected militant networks remain a challenge, particularly in eastern areas such as Deir Ezzor.

The latest arrests show that intelligence work remains central to these efforts. Authorities will need to identify wider networks and prevent further attacks.

For residents, the priority is a safer environment and the return of stable public services. The investigation in Deir Ezzor will now face the task of establishing the suspects’ roles and any wider links.