ISIS Attack Kills 30 pro-government forces in Syria, Says Monitor
November 8:
In one of the deadliest attacks this year, the Islamic State group launched coordinated assaults, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 pro-government forces and soldiers in the Syrian desert. The devastating attacks took place between the regions of Raqqa, Homs, and Deir Ezzor and targeted military positions and checkpoints, as reported by the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, known for its extensive network of sources on the ground, released a statement revealing that the casualties included 4 soldiers and 26 members of the National Defense Forces. These tragic events serve as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by ISIS in the Syrian desert region.
ISIS, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, is widely recognized as a terrorist organization by various governments and international bodies, including the United Nations and many countries around the world.
ISIS claims Kabul bus attack targeting Shia Muslims
November 8:
Kabul, Afghanistan – In a tragic incident that underscores the ongoing security challenges in Afghanistan, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for a deadly bus attack targeting the Shia Hazara community in the capital, Kabul.
The blast occurred in the Dasht-e-Barchi district, a stronghold of the Hazara community, and resulted in the loss of seven lives, with an additional 20 individuals sustaining injuries. This marks the second attack on the Hazara community in recent weeks.
Security officials are actively investigating the incident, as confirmed by police spokesman Khalid Zadran.
ISIS, via its Amaq news outlet, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they had “detonated an explosive device” on a bus carrying Shia Muslims, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.
This is not the first time that the Hazara community has been targeted by extremist groups in Afghanistan. In late October, a deadly explosion in a sports club within the same neighbourhood claimed the lives of four individuals and left seven others in critical condition, with the Taliban authorities confirming ISIS’s involvement.
While the number of bomb blasts and suicide attacks has seen a significant decrease since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, various armed groups, including the regional chapter of ISIS, continue to pose a threat to the nation’s security.
The Hazara community and other Shia Muslim groups in Afghanistan have endured decades of oppression and state-sponsored discrimination, even by the ruling Taliban. The injustices include arbitrary arrests, discriminatory taxation, displacement from their traditional lands, and summary executions, as reported by United Nations officials.
It is estimated that Afghanistan is home to approximately six million Shia Muslims, with the vast majority belonging to the Hazara community. Despite the country’s shifting political landscape, the Hazara community remains resilient and seeks justice and security for its members.
ISIS Militants Launch Deadly Attack in Raqqa Province, Killing Syrian Troops
August 8, 2023: ISIS militants executed a devastating attack in Raqqa province, Syria, leading to the tragic deaths of 30 Syrian troops and pro-government fighters. The war monitor that reported the incident on Tuesday emphasized ISIS’s persistence in orchestrating deadly assaults, despite losing its territorial control in 2019.
Raqqa province, once a stronghold for ISIS, has remained a zone of concern due to the presence of ISIS hideouts in the vast Syrian desert. From these enclaves, the terrorist organization has continued to mount ambushes and hit-and-run attacks, illustrating its capacity to maintain threats.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitoring group with an extensive network of sources within Syria, disclosed that the recent attack involved ISIS targeting positions and checkpoints held by the Syrian regime. During the raid, military vehicles and prefabricated houses were set ablaze.
The outcome was grim, with 10 Syrian troops and pro-government fighters losing their lives. Furthermore, six soldiers sustained injuries, some in critical condition, as a result of the attack.
At present, government forces maintain control over rural areas in the southern and eastern parts of Raqqa province, while Kurdish fighters oversee the remaining territories. Raqqa city, formerly the capital of the self-proclaimed ISIS caliphate, was liberated by Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States in 2017.
While ISIS lost its last territorial stronghold in Syria during a Kurdish-led counteroffensive in March 2019, remnants of the group continue to carry out fatal attacks across the region. These attacks have targeted various groups, including civilians, Kurdish-led fighters, government troops, and allied pro-Iranian militants.
Despite territorial losses, ISIS demonstrates its ability to carry out lethal attacks
Just last week, ISIS militants ambushed a convoy of oil tankers protected by the army in the Syrian desert, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, including two civilians.
In a similarly chilling incident last month, ISIS claimed responsibility for a rare bombing near the Sayyida Zeinab mausoleum in Damascus. The attack killed at least six people, highlighting the persistent threat posed by the terrorist organization.
The relentless ability of ISIS to regroup and launch attacks underscores the ongoing challenge faced by authorities and military forces in the region. Raqqa province, with its complex territorial control, remains a focal point for anti-ISIS efforts as security forces strive to ensure the safety and stability of the area.
As the region grapples with the enduring menace of ISIS, it is clear that concerted efforts are needed to eradicate the remnants of the terrorist organization and secure the region against further attacks.
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