A few kilometers from the border with Israel: Syria exposes ISIS cell in the Quneitra area

Syria's internal security forces announced that they exposed and captured an ISIS cell in the town of Khan Arnabeh in the Quneitra province, a few kilometers from the border with Israel in the Golan Heights. The cell operated to collect weapons, transfer explosive devices and equipment for making them. Nine activists were arrested, including the cell's leader, Musab Khalil al-Sheikh, nicknamed "the Chinese." Last month, Syria foiled a smuggling of weapons and missiles from the Iraqi border, intended for Hezbollah. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa clarified that his country avoids a military confrontation with Israel and works towards a security agreement.

Syria's internal security forces announced today (Sunday) that they exposed and captured an ISIS cell in the town of Khan Arnabeh in the Quneitra province in southern Syria, a few kilometers from the border with Israel in the Golan Heights. The cell operated to collect weapons, transfer explosive devices and equipment for making explosive devices, and other activities for the benefit of ISIS activist movements. The cell numbered nine activists, including the cell's leader, Musab Khalil al-Sheikh, nicknamed "the Chinese." Last month, Syria foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons and missiles on the border with Iraq, when it stopped a truck full of weapons near the Iraqi border. According to the Interior Ministry, the truck contained 150 explosive drones, long-range missiles, and anti-tank missiles. The weapons were intended, according to the authorities, to reach Hezbollah in Lebanon. About two weeks ago, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa clarified in an interview with Al Jazeera that his country avoids a military confrontation with Israel out of lack of interest, and revealed that Damascus is working to formulate a security agreement with Israel with the participation of other countries. He emphasized that Syria will not give up its rights in the "occupied Golan." These remarks join reports from April, when al-Sharaa was quoted by Anadolu as saying that negotiations with Israel are proceeding with great difficulty due to the Israeli presence in Syria, but he emphasized the seriousness of the intention to reach an arrangement. During a visit to Britain, he noted that in the past understandings were reached in direct and indirect talks, but Israel backed out at the last moment.