The militant group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for two fresh attacks targeting Syrian army personnel in northern and eastern Syria, signaling what it called a “new phase” of operations. In a statement released through its media channels, the group said it carried out targeted assaults in the cities of Mayadin and Raqqa. The announcement marks a sharp escalation in militant activity against government forces.
According to the group’s statement, one attack involved shooting an individual affiliated with the Syrian regime in Mayadin, located in Deir al-Zor province. The assailant reportedly used a pistol in the targeted killing. In a separate incident in Raqqa, militants opened fire with machine guns on two Syrian army personnel. These attacks highlight the group’s continued operational capacity despite sustained counterterrorism efforts.
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Meanwhile, Syria’s Defence Ministry confirmed that a soldier and a civilian were killed by unidentified gunmen on Saturday. A military source stated that the slain soldier belonged to the army’s 42nd Division. Although authorities did not directly attribute responsibility, the timing of the deaths coincided with the militant group’s public claim. Officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attacks.
The escalation comes amid rising tensions between the militant organization and Syria’s current leadership under Ahmed al-Sharaa. Sharaa, who previously broke ties with al Qaeda in 2016, later led a coalition that removed former president Bashar al-Assad from power at the end of 2024. The militant group has increasingly criticized the new administration and accused it of aligning with international forces.
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Furthermore, the group’s spokesperson, Abu Hudhayfa al-Ansari, released an audio message claiming Syria had shifted from one foreign influence to another. He warned that the leadership’s cooperation with the global coalition against terrorism would not deter further attacks. Notably, Sharaa signed Syria’s accession to the international coalition during a visit to the United States, where he met President Donald Trump last November.
Recent reports indicate that the militant group has carried out six attacks against government targets since Assad’s fall, with additional assassination attempts reportedly foiled. A United Nations counterterrorism report revealed that Sharaa and two senior ministers survived five attempted attacks. Online channels linked to the group have also called for intensified operations using motorcycles and small arms, raising fresh security concerns across the region.