The Islamic State group has taken responsibility for two attacks in southern Syria, one of which targeted government forces. An opposition war monitor noted that this marks the first assault on the Syrian army by the extremists since the fall of Bashar Assad. In a statement released on Thursday, IS reported that a bomb aimed at a "vehicle of the apostate regime" exploded, resulting in seven soldiers either dead or injured. The group indicated that this attack took place on May 22 in the al-Safa region of the desert in the southern province of Sweida.
In a separate statement, the group reported that another bomb attack took place this week in a nearby area, targeting members of the U.S.-backed Free Syrian Army. They claimed the attack resulted in the death of one fighter and injuries to three others.
The government has not commented on these claims, and a spokesperson for the Free Syrian Army did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in Britain, stated that the attack on government forces resulted in one civilian death and three soldiers being wounded. They noted that this was the first attack claimed by IS against Syrian forces since the Assad family's 54-year rule ended in December.
The Islamic State (IS), which previously held significant territory in Syria and Iraq, opposes the new leadership in Damascus under President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Al-Sharaa, who once led al-Qaida's branch in Syria, has fought against IS.
In recent months, IS has taken responsibility for attacks targeting the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the northeast. Although IS was defeated in Syria in March 2019 when SDF fighters seized the last remaining territory under its control, the group’s sleeper cells have continued to execute deadly attacks, primarily in eastern and northeastern Syria.
In January, state media reported that intelligence officials in Syria's post-Assad government successfully prevented a plan by ISIS to detonate a bomb at a Shiite Muslim shrine located south of Damascus. Earlier this month, Al-Sharaa met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia, where Trump indicated that Washington would work towards lifting the severe economic sanctions imposed on Damascus since the Assad era. Following the meeting, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump urged Al-Sharaa to formally recognise Israel, to instruct all foreign terrorists to leave Syria, and to assist the U.S. in preventing any resurgence of the Islamic State group.
