Syrian authorities announced that a suicide bomber who killed a member of the security forces in Aleppo on New Year’s Eve was linked to the Islamic State group, which had been planning coordinated assaults on churches and public gatherings.
Officials said IS had stepped up its activities in government-controlled areas, pointing to a recent attack in Palmyra that left three Americans dead. The interior ministry revealed that intelligence reports indicated the extremist group intended to carry out “suicide operations and attacks targeting New Year’s celebrations in several governorates, particularly Aleppo, by striking churches and civilian gathering places.” Security measures were subsequently reinforced across the country.
In Aleppo’s Bab al-Faraj district, one officer reportedly grew suspicious of an individual who was later identified as a member of IS, also known by its Arabic acronym Daesh. The encounter ended with the deadly explosion that claimed the officer’s life.
The incident underscores the continuing threat posed by IS, despite years of military campaigns aimed at dismantling its networks in Syria.
