ISIS key threat, attacks targeting Shias, Christians foiled: Damascus
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Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab says ISIS remains a major threat, with attacks targeting Shias and Christians foiled, vowing to stabilize the situation across the country.
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In this photo released by Syrian State TV, one of four suspects arrested in connection with an alleged plot by ISIS is escorted by security officers in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (AP)
Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab stated on Wednesday that the threat posed by the terrorist organization ISIS remains one of the country’s foremost security challenges, revealing that several attempts by the group to target Shiite and Christian communities across various regions have recently been thwarted.
Khattab explained that the recent events in Syria’s coastal region began with "systematic attacks targeting security and military positions," claiming that "remnants of the former regime" of playing a role in repeated attempts to destabilize the country.
Tensions in the coastal areas have surged, with reports of extrajudicial executions targeting members of the Alawite community. These incidents were carried out by armed groups, including elements affiliated with Syria’s interim Ministry of Defense.
In March, hundreds of Alawites were reportedly killed in the western coastal region, and violence soon reached Damascus. Two government officials confirmed to Reuters that thousands have been expelled, mostly Alawites, from Damascus since al-Assad’s ousting.
Investigations and calls for stability
The interim interior minister acknowledged the occurrence of "violations" during the unrest and confirmed that investigative committees had been formed to hold those responsible accountable, pledging that all developments would be addressed with "transparency and professionalism."
"We will not allow chaos to return," Khattab asserted. "We will confront sabotage attempts with all available means, and we extend the hand of the state to all those whose hands are not stained with blood."
Read more: Alawite Council rejects Syria’s Transitional Justice Commission
Drug smuggling still a threat
On the narcotics issue, Khattab declared that drug production inside Syria had been entirely dismantled. However, he acknowledged that smuggling remains an ongoing security concern.
"Daily shipments of Captagon prepared for export are being seized," he said, adding that Syria is actively cooperating with Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey in a regional coordination effort to combat drug trafficking and reduce its spread.
