Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA- The Ministry of Interior, in coordination with the General Intelligence Service, carried out security operations against ISIS-linked terrorist cells in the Damascus countryside, arresting a cell leader and five members, and killing two others affiliated with the terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus.
The Ministry of Interior said in a statement “Following the treacherous terrorist attack that targeted Mar Elias Church in Al-Douweila neighborhood of Damascus, our security units continued their intensive efforts of gathering information, analyzing evidence, and establishing a joint operations room with the General Intelligence Service to asses and confirm information, we began to uncover the truth.”
“Based on initial information and in joint coordination with the General Intelligence Service, our security units carried out precise operations in Harasta and Kafr Batna towns , targeting locations of terrorist cells linked to ISIS”, the ministry added.
The Interior Ministry said that after clashes “the cell leader and five members were arrested, two others were killed, one of them was the main person involved in facilitating the suicide bomber’s entry into the church, and the other was also preparing to carry out a terrorist attack in a neighborhood of the capital.”
“During the raid, quantities of weapons and ammunition were seized, in addition to explosive vests and mines. A motorcycle bomb that had been prepared for detonation was also found,” The ministry said.
The ministry concluded its statement by affirming that “these cowardly terrorist acts will only strengthen its resolve to pursue anyone who attempts to threaten the country’s security, and that its response will be firm and continuous against terrorist hideouts.”
Abdulrahim/Mazen
