Syria’s Interior Ministry said a security officer was killed and two others were injured after he attempted to detain a person accused of belonging to the Islamic State group at a checkpoint in Aleppo. In addition to this incident, authorities managed to prevent suicide attacks against churches during New Year’s celebrations, a target that security authorities said was considered the greatest threat.
According to the official Telegram channel of the Syrian Interior Ministry, after receiving reports of the intention of members of the Islamic State to carry out attacks on Christian temples in Aleppo, a security operation was launched, which included a significant increase in surveillance of churches, the establishment of checkpoints at strategic entrances and the deployment of fixed and mobile patrols in various sectors of the city. The aim of these measures was to ensure the safety of civilians and reduce risks during the celebrations at the beginning of the year.
As the authority responsible for Syria’s internal security said, the series of preventive measures taken also extended to the surveillance of suspicious people and vehicles at various points, which led to the location and subsequent confrontation with the person who was later identified as a member of the Islamic State. While attempting to identify the suspect at a checkpoint, the man opened fire on the agents, killing one of them instantly and injuring two others. The attacker later activated an explosive he was carrying, the Interior Ministry said in its statement.
Official information compiled by state media highlights the actions of security forces, which are credited with preventing major attacks at a time when large numbers of believers were visiting places of worship. Syrian authorities assured that the mounted operation allowed them to “thwart a dangerous terrorist attack aimed at attacking the lives of innocent civilians during the New Year celebrations,” said the statement released on Thursday.
Following the incident, the Interior Ministry conveyed its condolences to the deceased agent’s relatives. The statement also underlines the attitude of those involved in the operation, noting that the commitment and determination of security personnel represented a key element in preventing the attackers’ intentions from resulting in civilian casualties. According to the Ministry of Security itself, the forces responsible for citizen protection will maintain extraordinary surveillance measures in the city, especially in religious spaces, as long as the threat of jihadist extremism continues in the region.
Syria’s interim authorities reported that they were continuing to collect data to clarify the possible existence of additional individuals or cells linked to the failed plan and insisted that security devices would continue to be deployed to counter any new attempted attack. According to the Interior Ministry in its area of operations, the operation was coordinated with various government agencies that continue to monitor the movements of extremist groups in different parts of the country.
The official media concluded that surveillance in Aleppo will be increased until any evidence of additional risk is eliminated and the details of the plot attributed to the Islamic State are clarified.
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