Damascus, Syria – December 25, 2025 – Syrian authorities have announced the death of a senior ISIL (ISIS) commander, Mohammed Shahadeh, during a specialised security operation in the Damascus countryside. Shahadeh, also known as Abu Omar Shaddad, was described as the group’s governor of Hauran and a direct threat to local and regional security.

Details of the Raid

The Ministry of Interior confirmed that the operation was carried out following verified intelligence and extensive surveillance. Syrian specialised units targeted a hideout in the town of al-Buweida, near Qatana, southwest of Damascus.

The raid involved the General Intelligence Directorate and was coordinated with international coalition forces, ensuring precise execution against high-value ISIL targets.

The ministry called Shahadeh’s death a “crippling blow” to ISIL operations in southern Syria.

Recent ISIL Arrests

The announcement came a day after Syrian security forces arrested another senior ISIL figure, Taha al-Zoubi, in a separate operation in the Damascus countryside. Authorities seized a suicide belt and a military weapon during the arrest in Maadamiya, southwest of the capital. Brigadier General Ahmad al-Dalati, head of internal security in the region, described the operation as “tightly executed.”

These consecutive operations underscore Syria’s ongoing efforts to dismantle ISIL networks, particularly in areas where the group remains active despite losing its territorial control.

Context: ISIL’s Ongoing Threat

Although ISIL was militarily defeated in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019, the group continues to carry out attacks in the region and abroad, including in parts of Africa and Afghanistan. Remaining cells focus on destabilising local communities and targeting Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria.

At its peak, ISIL controlled vast areas of Iraq and Syria, declaring Raqqa as its capital, but the death of senior commanders like Shahadeh significantly weakens its operational capabilities in southern Syria.

Regional Implications

The elimination of high-ranking ISIL figures highlights the importance of targeted counterterrorism operations for maintaining security in Damascus and surrounding provinces. Authorities emphasize that coordinated action, combining intelligence, specialised units, and international collaboration, remains essential to prevent resurgence by extremist groups in Syria and the wider region.