Islamic State assault signals escalation in Syria violence as US troops begin withdrawal
At least four Syrian security personnel were killed on Monday in a deadly Daesh attack in Syria, according to the country’s state news agency.
The assault targeted a checkpoint west of Raqqa, marking what officials describe as the deadliest attack on government forces since the ousting of former President Bashar Assad.
Checkpoint Assault Near Raqqa
State media reported that militants opened fire on a government checkpoint in northern Syria. Security forces later foiled the attack and killed one of the assailants, citing a security source who blamed Islamic State (Daesh) for the operation.
Although the group has not immediately claimed responsibility for Monday’s attack, it had declared just two days earlier that it was entering “a new phase of operations” against President Ahmed Al-Sharaa’s government.
On Saturday, Daesh claimed responsibility for two separate attacks targeting Syrian army personnel in northern and eastern Syria. Those incidents left one soldier and one civilian dead, according to reports.
Separate Attack in Deir Ezzor
In a related development, one Syrian soldier was killed after unknown gunmen attacked army headquarters in Mayadin, located in Deir Ezzor province in eastern Syria.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for that assault. However, the attack took place in the same city where Islamic State had launched an operation just days earlier, raising concerns about growing instability in the region.
Rising Syria Violence Amid US Withdrawal
The recent surge in Syria violence comes as US forces begin scaling back their presence in the country.
According to Syrian military and security sources, American troops on Monday started withdrawing from their largest military base in northeastern Syria. The move is part of a broader pullout of US forces who were deployed nearly a decade ago to help combat Daesh.
Last year, the Syrian government joined the US-led coalition against Islamic State. In January, government forces regained control of Raqqa from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, consolidating power over much of northern and eastern Syria.
Security analysts warn that the renewed attacks and troop withdrawals could create conditions for Daesh to regroup, increasing the risk of further violence across Syria.