Syrian security forces killed two Daesh militants following an armed confrontation as they allegedly attempted to plant an explosive device in the Damascus countryside, authorities said on Friday.
According to Syria’s Interior Ministry, a night patrol encountered two masked individuals along a roadside in the Sayyida Zaynab area, south of Damascus, while monitoring routes leading to military barracks and government facilities.
The ministry said the patrol attempted to stop the two individuals to establish their identities, but they opened fire on security personnel, triggering an exchange of fire in which both suspects were killed.
A subsequent search of the area found that the men had allegedly been planting an explosive device intended for an attack on a government institution, the ministry said.
Security personnel also recovered weapons and additional explosive devices from the suspects. Authorities said an investigation subsequently established that the two men were affiliated with Daesh (ISIS).
Syria joined the US-led international coalition against Daesh in November 2025. Established in 2014, the coalition has conducted operations against the militant group in Syria and Iraq.